Women who have lost their libido for good may get a second chance at a renewed sex life this fall now that a new drug nicknamed the “female Viagra” has been approved for sale.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Flibanserin, which will be sold as Addyi, to treat sexual dysfunction or “sexual desire disorder” in women.
The little pink pill is a groundbreaking move toward treating female sexual dysfunction but the new has raised lots of questions too. Which women can it help? How is “sexual dysfunction” diagnosed? Will it be easy to get? What are the side effects?
Here’s what you should know right now as manufacturers promise availability in pharmacies as early as October.
The Medication Isn’t Just For Having Better Orgasms
Flibanserin is designed to treat “hypoactive sexual desire disorder” (HSDD) which is characterized by low sexual desire that causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulty and is not due to a co-existing psychiatric or medical condition, problems within the relationship or side effects of another medication, according to the FDA. Those patients diagnosed with HSDD previously had no issues with sexual satisfaction prior to their diagnosis. Put simply, suddenly sex is no longer enjoyable for a woman and there is no obvious medical or external reason why.
Many Women Endure HSDD Silently
Not only does the FDA lists low libido in women as an area of “unmet need” in medicine, but Flibanserin’s supporters showed evidence that HSDD affects 10% of women in America.
There ARE Side Effects
Although some married women who suffer from HSDD speaking on the drug’s behalf to panelists argued that there really were no negative side effects, only positive. That’s not true. In their report, The FDA announced that Addyi can cause severely low blood pressure and loss of consciousness.
It Should Not Be Taken With Alcohol
“Because of a potentially serious interaction with alcohol, treatment with Addyi will only be available through certified health care professionals and certified pharmacies,” says Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). “Patients and prescribers should fully understand the risks associated with the use of Addyi before considering treatment.” The drug’s side effects are more severe when mixed with alcohol.
It Doesn’t Work The Same Way Drugs Like Viagra Do For Men
Critics of Flibanserin argued that erectile dysfunction drugs for men, such as Viagra, which is taken just before sex and increases blood flow to the genitals, are less intrusive because Flibanserin must be taken daily before bedtime and affects brain chemicals not genitals.
It Hasn’t Been Tested On More Mature Women
Flibanserin has been approve tested on and approved for the treatment of HSDD in pre-menopausal women only.
According to the FDA the drug will be available by prescription as early as October 17.
Can you relate? Tell us about your biggest libido dilemmas and concerns below and what has or hasn’t worked for you thus far.
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