You can’t turn on the television without seeing a Viagra commercial. You know the ones: An older man and a woman who is noticeably younger end up in the bedroom after a date, all thanks to Viagra. Or maybe you recognize the commercials for Cialis: two older adults holding hands…while sitting in separate bathtubs. Every time one of those commercials comes on, I wonder when we’ll see a commercial for female Viagra. I’m still waiting on the commercial, but it turns out that the future is now: Female Viagra is a real thing. Well, kind of. Surprised? Me too. I had no idea that a female libido enhancer had been on the market, let alone for almost three years. But does it work? Here’s what I found out.
What is “female Viagra”?
Viagra is the trade name of the drug sildenafil citrate, which treats erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis so that a man can get and maintain an erection during sex. Recently, Addyi (the brand name of the drug flibanserin), has been nicknamed “female Viagra,” because it’s the first-ever pharmaceutical treatment for women’s sexual dysfunction. “The days of marginalizing women’s sexual dysfunction are numbered.”
Sildenafil, aka Lady Era
There’s another drug on the market that you may come across if you google “ladies Viagra,” “female Viagra,” or a similar search term, and this one actually is female Viagra. It’s called Lady Era, and it’s the trade name of the women’s version of sildenafil. Sildenafil treats women’s sexual dysfunction in a way that’s similar to what Viagra does for men: It increases blood flow to the genital area. In men, this results in an erection, and in women, sildenafil may help increase lubrication and sensation during sex. Before you buy Lady Era, though, you should know that it’s not FDA approved. Addyi is the only drug currently approved by the FDA to treat female sexual dysfunction.
Does Addyi work?
“In the face of scientific evidence, the days of marginalizing women’s sexual dysfunction are numbered,” Cindy Eckert, CEO of Sprout Pharmaceuticals and founder of The Pink Ceiling, tells HealthyWay. “Addyi will be a key factor to leveling the playing field by cutting through that unscientific societal narrative to a data-driven discussion.” But exactly what does the science say? According to preliminary drug trials (which were annoyingly named after flowers, because you know, we’re women) that were conducted in 2012, Addyi increased the number of satisfying sexual events (SSE) participants had and decreased their distress caused by sexual dysfunction.
But when you break down those numbers, the little pink pill may not be the cure-all for women’s sexual dysfunction it claims to be. A more recent 2016 study found that while, technically, women do report more SSEs per month while taking Addyi, the number of SSEs participants experienced only increased by an average of 1.5 times per month—while also increasing associated side effects like dizziness, nausea, and fatigue.Side Effects of Flibanserin
Since flibanserin was initially created as a drug for major depressive disorder, it’s not surprising that women taking flibanserin for sexual dysfunction experience many of the side effects associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Those include dizziness, nausea, somnolence (excessive sleepiness), fatigue, and dry mouth. But women taking flibanserin can also experience more serious side effects, most notably hypotension and syncope, especially if flibanserin is combined with alcohol or some antifungal medications. In fact, Addyi comes with a black label that warns women to avoid all contact with alcohol while taking the drug. For a drug that is supposed to be taken every day, that’s a pretty tough pill to swallow (excuse the pun). Because Addyi has only been FDA approved for three years, perhaps the biggest risk of taking flibanserin daily is that the long-term side effects on your brain and body aren’t yet known. But research is promising that Addyi, while incompatible with alcohol, may be safe to take in combination with other serotonin modulators.
Why Addyi Is Important (Despite Efficacy Rates)
HSDD is now grouped under Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (FSIAD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) that mental health professionals use to help diagnose patients. And that’s a big deal for a couple of reasons. “Ultimately, Addyi is giving women the same access to medication that men have had for decades to treat their sexual dysfunctions.”