- Viagra is FDA-approved for intimate dysfunction in men, but some women use it off-label for the lapp reason .
- many factors can cause low sex drive in women — Viagra ’ s likely effects may not address all of them .
- Medications, supplements, and life style changes are often used to help with abject arouse drive in women.
Viagra ( sildenafil ) — the ill-famed “ small blue pill ” — is an FDA-approved medicine for people with erectile dysfunction that helps to improve lineage hang to the penis. It ’ s not approved for sexual dysfunction in women — yet, though some may use it. In these cases, providers may choose to prescribe the medicine off-label to help with foreplay issues. This article explores if using Viagra in women is safe and effective for low sex drive and what FDA-approved options are presently available as alternatives .
What is Viagra, and how does it work?
Viagra ( sildenafil ) is a prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction ( ED ). It helps to relax muscles and promote blood flow to the penis. When sexually aroused, the person taking it can achieve an erection. like medications in the lapp class include Cialis ( tadalafil ) and Levitra ( vardenafil ). Viagra is available in three doses : 25 milligram, 50 milligram, and 100 milligram. It can be taken 30 minutes to 4 hours before sex, and it will work for vitamin a long as 4 to 8 hours. But equitable because an erection is possible within this clock frame doesn ’ thyroxine mean the erection itself should last that long. In fact, an erection that lasts over 4 hours — called priapism — is dangerous and can cause permanent wave damage. In the event that happens, emergency checkup attention is required .
What is low libido?
sexual dysfunction in women can include several problems with the ability to enjoy arouse, including impair desire, impair arousal, mar climax, or atrocious sexual activity. Of these, impaired hope or lowered sake in sex ━ besides known as gloomy libido ━ is a park intimate dysfunction, affecting 1 out of every 3 women in the U.S. It has a count of complex causes, including :
- cultural and emotional views towards arouse
- Being in a bad relationship
- Having a history of depression
- hormone changes during menopause and pregnancy
- Periods of tension or extreme fatigue
- Taking certain medications
It ’ second important to note that libido and arousal — which is when you ’ re sexually stimulated — are unlike. This means that you may have desire for sex but the inability to become ablaze — and frailty versa. For this reason, arousal disorder differs from low libido and may require different treatment .
Does Viagra work for low libido in women?
not very. Viagra has physical effects on the body to help with erectile dysfunction. As mentioned above, low libido in women means that they ’ rhenium less interested in sex — physical effects may not be an publish. When used in women, Viagra is thought to raise lineage menstruate to the genitals sol that there ’ sulfur more sensitivity and foreplay. Studies have shown that Viagra may provide a benefit for women having difficulty with intimate arousal — since it may help them respond better to sexual foreplay. however, it may not show a benefit if there ’ s low intimate desire. In other words, treatments that target intimate desire are needed for people with low libido to see results. however, Viagra may benefit people who are taking medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) for depression. This is because antidepressants like SSRIs can cause sexual dysfunction as a english effect. Studies suggest that women taking Viagra before sex may experience fewer unwanted intimate side effects from the antidepressant .
What happens if a woman takes Viagra?
precisely as Viagra helps improve blood flow for an erecting, it may improve blood flow in the female generative parts. When this happens, it may cause more sensitivity and stimulation, causing the person taking it to become more aroused .
What are the potential side effects?
A clinical test studying Viagra in women for arousal disorder reported meek to moderate side effects overlapping with those seen when sildenafil is taken for erectile dysfunction. common side effects for women taking Viagra may include :
- concern
- nausea
- Nasal congestion
- Flushing
- vision changes
hard side effects can include loss of hearing or vision, faint, or abruptness of breath .
What medications can a woman take for low sex drive?
Healthcare professionals may prescribe medications to boost libido in women. There are a few FDA-approved options, depending on the low sex driveway causes .
Osphena
afflictive sex because of vaginal dispassion can be a cause of abject libido. If person experiences vaginal dryness, Osphena ( ospemifene ) is an option. Osphena is a once-daily oral pill FDA-approved for atrocious sexual intercourse and vaginal dispassion due to menopause. estrogen helps thicken the vaginal walls and support vaginal cells that produce lubrication. A drop in estrogen levels is a cause of vaginal dryness.
Read more: Napping Health Effects
Osphena works by binding to estrogen receptors in the body, activating them in some areas ( like vaginal tissue ) and blocking them in others. It ’ south well tolerated with common side effects that include hot flashes and vaginal acquit. It doesn ’ t immediately fix gloomy libido, but it can address irritating sex as a potential contributor .
Addyi
Addyi ( flibanserin ) is an oral medication that ’ south FDA-approved for low libido in premenopausal people. however, it isn ’ triiodothyronine recommended if the low libido is resulting from checkup problems, relationship issues, or medications. It ’ s dosed once daily at bedtime. The exact way that Addyi works to treat low libido international relations and security network ’ t known. It ’ second called the “ female Viagra ” — ampere well as the “ little pink pill ” — and may slenderly improve interest in sex. however, Addyi comes with a number of undesirable side effects, including :
- sleepiness
- dizziness
- nausea
- fatigue
- insomnia
- Dry mouth
Addyi besides carries a boxed warn — the FDA ’ s most serious warn — about the risk of a severe devolve in lineage press and passing out. Drinking alcohol within 2 hours of your dose ( or having at least 3 drinks ), taking medications that interact with Addyi, and liver problems can raise this gamble .
Vyleesi
Vyleesi ( bremelanotide ) is an injectable medicine FDA-approved for premenopausal women with broken sexual force. Like Addyi, the way it works for gloomy libido is nameless. additionally, it isn ’ deoxythymidine monophosphate recommended if there are medical conditions, medications, or relationship issues causing humble libido. Vyleesi is injected at least 45 minutes before having sexual activity. You can inject one drug within a 24-hour period — and no more than 8 doses a month. The most common side effect is nausea. Flushing, reaction at the injection web site, and concern are besides park side effects. Health experts weren ’ t impressed with how Vyleesi performed in its clinical trials and would like to see more research done before recommending it .
Other medications
Bupropion ( Wellbutrin ) has been studied off-label for difficulties with arousal, desire, lubrication, and intimate satisfaction. In one analyze, about 72 % of women taking bupropion for sexual hope were meet with treatment. topical testosterone ( gels and patches ) is sometimes used for low sexual desire and function in people who ’ ve gone through menopause. Your supplier may prescribe testosterone off-label since it ’ s not FDA-approved for consumption in women .
Are there any natural alternatives to Viagra for women?
There are supplements that claim to be lifelike alternatives that help with female sexual dysfunction. however, there aren ’ t adequate studies to confirm they are condom and effective. merely because supplements contain natural substances does not mean they are harmless. A late taxonomic review suggests that the supplement L-arginine in combination with ginkgo biloba and Korean red ginseng may help enhance hope for sex. Ginkgo and ginseng are both able to boost azotic oxide levels, which plays a character in sexual function. red clover — an herb that contains estrogen-like substances called phytoestrogens — may improve libido, sleep, and temper. It ’ second besides been used for menopause symptoms like hot flashes. Cannabidiol ( CBD ) has the potential to lower anxiety, which can contribute to moo libido. When people are stressed, higher hydrocortisone ( stress hormone ) levels can suppress sexual activity hormones that impact sexual hope. Although CBD products can be found nonprescription ( OTC ), they aren ’ deoxythymidine monophosphate FDA-approved, and there have been quality and contamination concerns. Tribulus terrestris is a popular plant used in chinese and Ayurvedic music. In modest studies, participants taking this herb reported enhance intimate experiences. In studies with premenopausal people, it besides raised participants ’ testosterone levels. Speak with your checkup supplier before taking any supplements for abject libido. At best, these may help raise intimate desire or arousal. Keep in judgment that they ’ re not FDA-approved, which means that we don ’ t know the base hit, efficacy, or long-run effects. Plus, herbal products carry side effects and can interact with other medications you ’ re accept. other natural alternatives include :
The bottom line
gloomy libido in women may have hormonal, physical, or psychological causes. Your supplier may prescribe Viagra off-label to help with physical problems related to difficulty with intimate arousal. however, Viagra is unable to directly influence an emotional desire for sex. many natural options exist that are thought to help with intimate desire and arousal, but they may or may not be helpful depending on what ’ s causing humble libido. And since they can potentially interact with other medications you ’ re choose, ask a aesculapian professional before giving them a judge .
Was this page helpful?
Subscribe and save.
Get prescription saving tips and more from GoodRx Health. Enter your email to sign up.
Email address By signing up, I agree to GoodRx ‘s Terms and privacy Policy, and to receive selling messages from GoodRx .