Is There a Female Viagra? (2024)

Flibanserin (Addyi) is a Viagra-like drug for cisgender women and others assigned female at birth. Currently, Addyi is only available through certain prescribers and pharmacies.

Addyi was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2015 for the treatment of female sexual interest/arousal disorder (FSIAD) in people who are premenopausal.

FSIAD is also known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).

It’s prescribed by approved providers in agreement between the manufacturer and the FDA. A prescriber must be certified by the manufacturer to meet certain FDA requirements.

It’s taken once per day, at bedtime.

Addyi was the first HSDD drug to receive FDA approval. In June 2019, bremelanotide (Vyleesi) became the second. Addyi is a daily pill, while Vyleesi is a self-administered injectable that’s used as needed.

You’ll notice that the language used to share stats and other data points is pretty binary, fluctuating between the use of “male” and “female” or “men” and “women.”

Although we typically avoid language like this, specificity is key when reporting on research participants and clinical findings.

Unfortunately, the studies and surveys referenced in this article didn’t report data on, or include, participants who were transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, genderqueer, agender, or genderless.

    The FDA hasn’t approved Viagra (sildenafil) itself for people with female anatomy to use. However, it has been prescribed off-label for AFAB individuals with a low libido.

    OFF-LABEL DRUG USE

    Off-label drug use means a drug that’s approved by the FDA for one purpose is used for a different purpose that hasn’t yet been approved. However, a doctor can still use the drug for that purpose. This is because the FDA regulates the testing and approval of drugs, but not how doctors use drugs to treat their patients. So, your doctor can prescribe a drug however they think is best for your care.

    Evidence of its effectiveness is mixed at best. A review of trials of Viagra in women speculates that positive results are observed in regard to physical arousal. However, this isn’t the case for the more complex nature of FSIAD.

    For example, the review detailed a study that gave Viagra to 202 postmenopausal women with primary FSIAD.

    Researchers observed an increased amount of arousal sensations, vaginal lubrication, and orgasm in study participants. However, women with secondary FSIAD-associated disorders (such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and diabetes) reported no increase in desire or enjoyment.

    A second study discussed in the review found that both premenopausal and postmenopausal women reported no significant positive responses when using Viagra.

    There are several reasons that cisgender women and other AFAB folks would seek out a Viagra-like pill. As they approach middle age and beyond, it’s not uncommon for people to observe a decrease in their overall libido.

    A decrease in libido can also originate from daily stressors, significant life events, or chronic conditions such as MS or diabetes.

    However, some people observe a decrease or absence in libido due to FSIAD. According to one expert panel and review, FSIAD is estimated to affect about 10 percent of adult women.

    It’s characterized by the following symptoms:

    • limited or absent sexual thoughts or fantasies
    • reduced or absent response of desire to sexual cues or stimulation
    • loss of interest or inability to maintain interest in sexual activities
    • significant feelings of frustration, incompetence, or worry at the lack of sexual interest or arousal

    Flibanserin was originally developed as an antidepressant, but it was approved by the FDA for treatment of FSIAD in 2015.

    Its mode of action as far as it relates to FSIAD isn’t well-understood. It’s known that taking flibanserin regularly raises levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the body. At the same time, it lowers levels of serotonin.

    Both dopamine and norepinephrine are important for sexual excitement. Dopamine has a role in boosting sexual desire. Norepinephrine has a role in promoting sexual arousal.

    The FDA approval of flibanserin was based off the results of three phase III clinical trials. Each trial lasted 24 weeks and evaluated the efficacy of flibanserin compared to a placebo in premenopausal women.

    The investigators and the FDA analyzed the results of the three trials. When adjusted for placebo response, about 10 percent of participants reported a “much improved” or “very much improved” status in trial weeks 8 to 24. This is a modest improvement when compared to Viagra.

    A review published three years after Viagra’s FDA approval for treating erectile dysfunction (ED) summarizes the worldwide responses to treatment. In the United States, for example, 74 percent of participants responded positively. This is compared to a 19 percent positive response for those taking a placebo.

    In people who are postmenopausal

    Flibanserin isn’t FDA-approved for use in postmenopausal people. However, the efficacy of flibanserin in this population was assessed in a single trial.

    The results were reported as similar to those reported in premenopausal women. This will need to be replicated in additional trials for it to be approved for postmenopausal people.

    The most common side effects of flibanserin include:

    • dizziness
    • difficulty falling asleep or remaining asleep
    • nausea
    • dry mouth
    • tiredness
    • low blood pressure, also known as hypotension
    • fainting or loss of consciousness

    FDA warnings: On liver disease, enzyme inhibitors, and alcohol

    • This drug has boxed warnings. These are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
    • Flibanserin (Addyi) can cause fainting or severe hypotension when taken by people with liver disease or alongside certain drugs, including alcohol.
    • You shouldn’t use Addyi if you take certain moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. This group of enzyme inhibitors includes select antibiotics, antifungals, and HIV medications, as well as other types of drugs. Grapefruit juice is also a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor.
    • To prevent these side effects, you should also refrain from drinking alcohol for at least two hours before taking your nightly dose of Addyi. After you take your dose, you should refrain from drinking alcohol until the next morning. If you’ve consumed alcohol less than two hours before your anticipated bedtime, you should skip that night’s dose instead.

    Flibanserin shouldn’t be used in people with liver problems.

    Talk to your doctor about what medications and supplements you’re taking before beginning flibanserin. You also shouldn’t take flibanserin if you’re taking any of the following medications or supplements:

    • certain medications used to treat cardiovascular conditions, such as diltiazem (Cardizem CD) and verapamil (Verelan)
    • certain antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and erythromycin (Ery-Tab)
    • medications to treat fungal infections, such as fluconazole (Diflucan) and itraconazole (Sporanox)
    • HIV medications, such as ritonavir (Norvir) and indinavir (Crixivan)
    • nefazodone, an antidepressant
    • supplements such as St. John’s wort

    Many of these drugs belong to a group of enzyme inhibitors known as CYP3A4 inhibitors.

    Lastly, you shouldn’t drink grapefruit juice while taking flibanserin. It’s also a CYP3A4 inhibitor.

    Addyi and alcohol

    When Addyi was first FDA-approved, the FDA warned those using the drug to abstain from alcohol due to the risk of fainting and severe hypotension. However, the FDA updated its warning on alcohol in April 2019.

    If you’re prescribed Addyi, you no longer have to avoid alcohol completely. However, after you take your nightly dose, you should refrain from drinking alcohol until the next morning.

    You should also refrain from drinking alcohol for at least two hours before taking your nightly dose. If you’ve consumed alcohol less than two hours before your anticipated bedtime, you should skip that night’s dose of Addyi instead.

    If you miss a dose of Addyi for any reason, don’t take a dose to make up for it the next morning. Wait until the next evening and resume your regular dosing schedule.

    Flibanserin had a challenging path to FDA approval.

    The FDA reviewed the drug three times before approving it. There were concerns about its efficacy when compared with negative side effects. These concerns were the main reasons why the FDA recommended against approval after the first two reviews.

    There were also lingering questions regarding how female sexual dysfunction should be treated. Libido is quite complex. There’s both a physical and a psychological component.

    Flibanserin and sildenafil work in different ways. Sildenafil, for example, doesn’t increase sexual arousal in men. On the other hand, flibanserin works to raise levels of dopamine and norepinephrine to promote desire and arousal.

    Thus, one pill targets a physical aspect of sexual dysfunction. The other targets the feelings of arousal and desire, a more complicated issue.

    Following a third review, the FDA approved the drug due to unmet medical needs. However, concerns still remained regarding side effects. A particular concern is severe hypotension observed when flibanserin is taken with alcohol.

    There are many causes of low libido, ranging from everyday stressors to FSIAD.

    Viagra has seen mixed results in cisgender women and other AFAB individuals in general, and it hasn’t been found effective for people with FSIAD. Premenopausal folks with FSIAD may see a modest improvement in desire and arousal after taking Addyi.

    Talk to your doctor if you’re interested in taking Addyi. Also be sure to discuss your other medications or supplements with your doctor before using Addyi.

    Is There a Female Viagra? (2024)

    FAQs

    Is There a Female Viagra? ›

    There's no female version of Viagra (a drug that treats ED). Viagra doesn't affect libido and isn't approved for use in women. Addyi and Vyleesi, often called "female Viagra," are approved to treat low libido in women, but they don't affect sexual performance.

    What happens if a female takes Viagra? ›

    We know that in men, Viagra dilates blood vessels and increases the flow of blood to the penis. Women who take it might also have increased blood flow to the genitals. That may help increase sensitivity, arousal, and orgasmic function. Studies on its effectiveness in women have had mixed results.

    What are female Viagra pills called? ›

    Another study revealed that there were no major positive responses observed when using female Viagra. The FDA approved two versions of female Viagra to treat female sexual dysfunction, which are called flibanserin (Addyi) and bremelanotide.

    Does Addyi really work? ›

    Addyi (flibanserin) works by balancing the brain chemicals such as dopamine and norepinephrine that may lead to lowered sex drive in some women. About 10% more patients who received Addyi than placebo reported meaningful improvements in satisfying sexual events, sexual desire or distress.

    Can Viagra make a woman wet? ›

    According to a few research studies, Viagra may improve arousal sensation, lubrication and orgasm in women with female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD), but it showed no improvement in women with other types of FSDs such as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) or painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia).

    What does the pink pill do? ›

    What is flibanserin? Flibanserin is the pill that targets lost libido in pre-menopausal women by enhancing sexual desire and decreasing emotional distress. The experimental drug has often been referred to as “female Viagra.” This nickname, however, is misleading as the two drugs work in completely different ways.

    What triggers female arousal? ›

    Some body parts have lots of nerve endings and make you feel excited or aroused when they're touched — those are your erogenous zones. The biggest erogenous zone for most people is their genital area: the vulva, clitoris, labia, vagina, anus, perineum, penis, scrotum, and prostate.

    What is the name of Viagra for girl? ›

    Flibanserin (Addyi) is a Viagra-like drug for cisgender women and others assigned female at birth. Currently, Addyi is only available through certain prescribers and pharmacies.

    How to tell if a man is taking Viagra? ›

    Unfortunately, there aren't going to be any noticeable changes that'll tell you he's using Viagra.

    What is the new female Viagra? ›

    The FDA now has approved two medicines. The FDA has approved a daily pill called flibanserin (Addyi) to treat low sexual desire in women before menopause. This medicine started as a treatment for depression.

    Do you lose weight on Addyi? ›

    Portion of Patients with > 5-10% Weight Loss at 24 Weeks

    Higher baseline BMI was associated with greater weight loss.

    How expensive is Addyi? ›

    Without insurance, you can expect your Addyi prescription to cost you about $149 per month. However, there is an offer to bundle 3 months for the price of 2, subject to restrictions and terms and conditions. If you plan to purchase a larger supply, check with your pharmacy for the most accurate pricing.

    Who can take female Viagra? ›

    Female Versions of Viagra

    These medications are approved to treat female sexual interest/arousal disorder (FSIAD), also known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), in premenopausal women. Neither medication is approved for use in men and neither has any effect on physical sexual performance.

    What would happen if a woman took Cialis? ›

    The residual (cardiovascular) benefits of Cialis® for women are immense. But the sexual benefits of the drug – improved sexual arousal and stronger orgasms – are also significant, as significant for women as they are for men. And generic Cialis® (tadalafil) is really inexpensive. The benefits far exceed the costs.

    What to expect when your partner takes Viagra? ›

    So, if your partner is taking Viagra, you can expect to see firmer erections in the bedroom. But, you may notice other happy effects as well. You may both be happier with your sex life, for instance. And, you may see your partner feeling better about themselves and your relationship — both in and out of the bedroom.

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