After gaining approval from the FDA, the drug flibanserin (also known as ‘female Viagra’) was suddenly under fire by women’s rights activists and organizations such as the National Organization for Women (NOW). But what does this drug do, and why have some people called it the pink Viagra? This article will answer all of your questions about viagra for women, what it does, and why many don’t agree with it.
Why have I never heard about it?
It’s been in development since 2001. Though it’s been a long time coming, it appears that Viagra for women is finally ready. But if you’re wondering why you haven’t heard about it before now, there are two reasons: First, Pfizer, who makes both male and female versions of Viagra (as well as Cialis), was trying to figure out how they could separate these products and their names. The company has decided that they can no longer profit off their male products while ignoring female sexual dysfunction (FSD) sufferers.
What are the benefits?
Studies show that by increasing blood flow to areas of a woman’s body, she can reap some of the same benefits as men who take Viagra. Like their male counterparts, many women taking sildenafil report increased libido and decreased vaginal pain or dryness associated with sexual arousal. Others say that being able to have sex at all has made them feel more confident, resulting in greater overall happiness. In most cases, it’s not just good sex that women experience—it’s great sex. And that can be life-changing.
Why is it controversial?
Although it doesn’t actually contain any form of Viagra, Addyi is classified as a Viagra-like drug because it works in a similar way. Despite its nickname, Addyi is not actually a pill; rather, it’s taken as an oral tablet. It contains an ingredient called flibanserin that increases dopamine and norepinephrine levels in women with low sexual desire (hypoactive sexual desire disorder). However, when does sex drive become low enough to merit treatment? Not many women—and perhaps even fewer doctors—would say there’s anything wrong with having sex once every few months.
Can anyone use this drug?
Viagra is generally intended to be used by men with erectile dysfunction, but it can also be used by women. To use Viagra, a doctor must first conduct a physical exam and administer a PDE-5 (phosphodiesterase type 5) test. If everything checks out, your doctor will prescribe you 25 mg pills of sildenafil citrate, which can only be taken once per day. No matter what gender you are or what form of ED you suffer from, always check with your doctor before taking any sort of medication or supplement!
How does it work?
Viagra for women works by enhancing blood flow to your clitoris, making it easier and more enjoyable to achieve an orgasm. This can also mean that you’re more able to enjoy sex because you’re enjoying it more fully. For many women, feeling sexy during sex is part of feeling confident and happy with your life; a better relationship with yourself may help improve self-esteem, too.
How do you get your hands on it?
Currently, female sexual dysfunction is treated with testosterone supplements and hormone therapy. As those approaches become less and less effective, Viagra’s popularity among women is sure to rise. Currently, Viagra is available only by prescription through your doctor. With no competitors on store shelves, it’s unlikely that Pfizer will bring its powerhouse medication to a drugstore near you any time soon (if ever). But viagra for women remains an active area of research in pharmaceutical labs around the world. If an over-the-counter version ever does make it out of clinical trials, we have a feeling these products won’t be hanging out on shelves for very long.
Are there side effects?
Like most prescription drugs, Viagra for women does come with some side effects. The good news is that they are not particularly serious and tend to be very rare. Commonly, women have reported headaches, nausea, and flushing as a result of taking sildenafil citrate. Remember that everyone’s body is different, though: so while some people have been able to tolerate these side effects with little or no problem at all others may need to avoid them completely by switching medications or changing their dosage/regimen. It’s also worth noting that sildenafil has been linked with other cardiovascular issues in women; if you already suffer from heart problems you might want to consult your doctor before proceeding with treatment.
Could this be the secret to increasing female sexual pleasure?
There is a whole universe of women who haven’t had an orgasm in their life, Lubezki said. We believe that if we take a nonsexual stimulus and put it in an erotic context, you will get a very high activation of dopamine in certain parts of her brain. Mandy added: For some women it will work, some won’t. But it doesn’t hurt anybody to try something. Will sex doctors give Viagra for women a try? It’s possible — but don’t expect many doctors to be sending out prescriptions just yet. Although scientists are excited about flibanserin, at least one expert says it still might not provide enough of an edge for most women.
Wrap Up
While female Viagra is, strictly speaking, a misnomer, there are indeed pills that can help women with low libido. These medications aim to promote blood flow throughout the body and genitalia in particular. The most common of these drugs is flibanserin; however, like other treatments before it (cough *Addyi* cough), flibanserin has its share of side effects (dizziness, nausea) and limited effectiveness on sexual desire—only 2/3 of women who took it reported any improvement at all. Despite such mediocre statistics, some pharmaceutical companies are still trying their luck with similar drugs that can supposedly help women gain interest in sex—so don’t count out a future where your doctor might be prescribing you viagra for women.
