Sex Pills For Women: Do They Exist?

Getting Started

Viagra is the brand name for Sildenafil, which effectively treats impotence in men. Sildenafil is also used to treat both male and female Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Approximately 10% of women have a poor sex drive. Some women may take Viagra off-label to address this disorder, once known as ‘Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder’ and now known as ‘Female Sexual Interest/Arousal disorder’ (FSIAD).

The first ever medicine to have received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is Lovegra. It contains Sildenafil as its active component. 

Additionally, two women sex pills treat low desire or arousal in females. These include Flibanserin (Addyi) and Bremelanotide (Vyleesi). Both female sex pills can, however, only be used by women who have not yet reached Menopause.

This article summarizes the sex pills for women approved by the FDA, including their types, mechanisms of action, and effectiveness. 

Types of Sex Pills For Women

To date, the FDA has approved three medications for FSIAD:

Sildenafil-based Lovegra

Lovegra 100 mg is the most effective treatment for Female Sexual Dysfunction to date. It contains Sildenafil, an FDA-approved drug extensively used to treat male Erectile Dysfunction.

Having the most accessible administration, it comes in a tablet form that you may take up to four hours before sexual activity.

It may take anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour before experiencing an increase in sexual desire. However, some individuals might experience the effects considerably sooner.

Addyi (Filbanserin) 

Addyi was the first treatment for FSIAD to receive FDA approval. Addyi is intended for premenopausal women, although it is administered orally instead of as an injection dose.

Even if a person does not expect to have sex that day, they take this medication during the night before bed. It is regardless of whether or not they intend to engage in sexual activity.

Vyleesi (Bremelanotide) 

According to the FDA, Vyleesi can treat FSIAD in premenopausal women.

The person injects it into their thigh or stomach at least 45 minutes before having sex. The effects may last up to twenty-four hours. Individuals should not take this medicine more than eight times per month.

How Do These Female Sex Pills Work?

Everythingpossible/ Getty Images

According to research, Lovegra contains Sildenafil, a highly potent ingredient to treat Erectile Dysfunction in males. When combined with other ingredients, this medicine effectively treated FSAID. 

Sildenafil belongs to the class of drugs known as Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. It regulates the activity of PDE5 enzymes in the vaginal cavity and boosts the cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP) levels in the region. 

Addyi modifies the Serotonin system and indirectly impacts Dopamine. Addyi may be beneficial when reduced sexual desire or arousal is associated with Serotonin levels in the brain. The neurotransmitter Dopamine links to feelings of satisfaction and stimulation.

Vyleesi targets the sexual function-related melanocortin receptors. The medication modifies the neural processes involved in sexual arousal.

The FDA cites two placebo-controlled studies in which female Vyleesi users demonstrated statistically significant increases in sexual desire and arousal.

How Long Do The Effects Last?

ZaganDesign/ Getty Images

These three sex pills for women are very different in terms of dosage and, therefore, effectiveness.

Lovegra’s effects may extend for up to six hours after administration. However, the total elimination of Sildenafil from the body may take up to 24 hours.

Addyi has a half-life of about 11 hours. If a person has even a mild liver condition, it can last for up to 26 hours. Food enhances the absorption of the medication into the body.

The duration of Vyleesi is around 2.7 hours, and it typically takes the body 6.5 hours to eliminate it entirely. The drug may slow the body’s ability to digest other medications.

The duration for drug concentration to get stable in the body may vary in different individuals. It is because specific people cannot adequately metabolize protein enzymes. This inability might result in an accumulation of the drug, leading to adverse consequences.

Moreover, what works for one may not essentially work for another. The three medications have diverse mechanisms of action and may not perform similarly to their alternatives.

Who Can Be Benefitted?

Vyleesi and Addyi treat premenopausal patients with FSIAD. No studies have been undertaken on the effectiveness of these sex pills for women during or after Menopause.

Globally, approximately 41% of premenopausal women may experience one or more sexual dysfunction. Of those with such conditions, just 21% bring it up in conversation with their doctor.

The female sexual experience is comprised of various aspects. These include:

Biological Aspects: Hormone fluctuations, body characteristics, and medical disorders might influence sexual responsiveness.

Psychological Aspects: Depression, Anxiety, trauma, and impaired thoughts or memories might have a psychological impact on sexual activity.

Interpersonal Aspects: These involve the relationship with a partner, particularly the quality of communication.

Sociocultural Aspects: It involves a person’s thoughts and attitudes regarding sex and physical changes, as well as their social, cultural, and religious values and beliefs regarding sex.

There is no standard number of sexual opinions or experiences. Also, there is no clinical threshold below which sexual desire is considered ‘low.’ A person’s libido is low if they are upset by what they vision to be a lack of sexual desire.

Peshkova/ Getty Images

A person who may benefit from ‘sex pills for women’ is one who feels their sex drive is low and desires more physical intimacy.

It may include individuals who:

  • Take medications that suppress sexual desire
  • Endure sexual boredom
  • Abruptly lose interest in sexual activity

Below are the most frequently observed factors associated with lower sex drive in females:

  • Difficulty reaching an orgasm
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Pain while having sex, particularly penetrative
  • Medical conditions such as Diabetes and Cardiovascular disease
  • Anxiety, stress, and Depression

Key Takeaways

Low sexual desire or arousal is a complex issue and can affect individuals of any age. Usually, there are a variety of possible causes for these problems.

It may, for instance, be caused by a combination of hormonal shifts, relationship changes, physical issues, and traumatic experiences. 

However, sex pills for women may be able to alleviate these symptoms significantly, depending on the severity of the case.

Sexual dysfunction can affect individuals of any age. Some causes of low sexual desire may not be able to be fixed with female sex pills. 

A compassionate and competent healthcare expert can assist in addressing problems and recommending future measures. 

It is also vital that you only buy these women sex pills from a licensed drugstore or reputable online pharmacy. It shall keep you safeguarded from any further complications.