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Is the “Pink Viagra” Finally Here?

Addyi®, the first ever FDA approved medication for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) is now available for premenopausal women.

Addyi®, FDA-Approved Medication For HSDD

Hooray! The first ever FDA approved medication for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) is now finally a reality. Officially known as Flibanserin or Addyi®, it has been also been called the "Pink Viagra" by lay commentators.

Many women suffer with low sexual desire, which can cause significant distress. Many women want to be more engaged and be able to enjoy sexual activity rather than just going through the motions. Women finally have a new option for their sagging desire.

Pre-menopausal women with low sexual desire don’t have to be distressed about their reduced desire. The diagnosis of female Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder “HSDD” needs a thorough evaluation and conversation between you and your doctor and can be treated.

Why Women Suffer From Low Sex Drive

Several factors can contribute to a low sex drive. These factors include:

When these conditions have resolved or been treated and a woman is in love with her partner and still has absent or markedly reduced desire, it is time to determine if you have HSDD. It’s no surprise that studies show women with sexual dysfunction may be more associated with lower positive feelings of physical, emotional and overall happiness in life and thus can have a big impact of a woman’s quality of life. It is important to take charge and do something about it.

Treating Low Sex Drive

We have been trying to deal with HSDD in the past with off-label use of medications like testosterone, estrogen, anti-depressant use such as wellbutrin (bupropion that may help with climax) and other lifestyle regimens like psychotherapy and sexual counseling. Viagra was approved for men in 1998 and now after 17 years, women have a drug which has gone through extensive study and received historic approval from FDA after the third try. Flibanserin tends to increase the activity of certain neurochemicals in the brain and inhibits serotonin in the brain and shows improvement in female sexual desire. It was noted that the number of “sexually satisfying encounters” increased by about one per month, from a median of 2-3 to 2.5-4.

The Side Effects of Addyi®

Though it’s a great achievement and opens the doors for more options for women, Flibanserin might not be for everyone. The potential side effects noted were:

  • Dizziness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Sudden drop in blood pressure leading up to fainting

Certain conditions may be best avoided when taking Flibanserin as the side effects could be profound. Those conditions include:

  • People who are heavy consumers of alcohol
  • Women on certain antifungals medications for yeast infections
  • Some antibiotics
  • HIV drugs
  • Blood pressure medications

So reduce or stop alcohol, monitor your diet, exercise to better control your blood pressure and talk to your women’s health physician to see if you are a candidate for Addyi®. And get ready to enjoy a better phase in life.

It’s your time and you need to take charge, enjoy your intimate life, stay healthy and be strong!

-Manisha Yadav, MDSanta Clara Valley Medical Center, CA