What is Female Viagra?

Given the success of drugs to treat erectile dysfunction, such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra), drug companies have sought a comparable drug for women. Viagra has even been tried as a treatment for sexual dysfunction in women. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn't approved this use of Viagra. Indeed, until recently there were no FDA-approved drugs for treating sexual arousal or sexual desire problems in women. Yet 4 in 10 women report having sexual concerns. A prescription medication known as flibanserin (Addyi) — originally developed as an antidepressant — has been approved by the FDA as a treatment for low sexual desire in premenopausal women. A daily pill, Addyi may boost sex drive in women with low sexual desire and who find the experience distressing. Potentially serious side effects include low blood pressure, dizziness and fainting, particularly if the drug is mixed with alcohol. Experts recommend that you stop taking the drug if you don't notice an improvement in your sex drive after eight weeks.