Real Stories from Women Using Addyi

For years there were no FDA-approved medicines for treating problems with sexual arousal or sexual desire in women. Yet 4 in 10 women report having sexual concerns. The FDA now has approved two medicines.

• Pink Viagra is generally not recommended for women or non-binary individuals.
• Some products claim to improve female sexual arousal but lack evidence.
• FDA-approved medications for women include Flibanserin and Addyi.
• Pink Viagra labeled products are often unregulated for female use.
• Women should consult healthcare providers for safe options.
• Misuse of pink Viagra-type products can cause adverse effects in women.
• There is increased research into authorized female sexual enhancement drugs.
• Marketing claims about pink Viagra for women are often exaggerated.
• Reliable sexual health products should be prescribed or approved.

The FDA has approved a daily pill called flibanserin (Addyi) to treat low sexual desire in women before menopause. This medicine started as a treatment for depression.

Effect	Description	Duration	Notes
Increased Blood Flow	Eases erectile dysfunction	4-6 hours	Primary intended effect
Visual Disturbances	Bluish tint, blurred vision	Transient	Rare side effect
Headache	Throbbing headache	Usually short	Common side effect
Flushing	Warm sensation on face and neck	Short-term	Common, mild side effect
Dizziness	Lightheadedness	Transient	Use caution when standing

Addyi may boost sex drive in women with low sexual desire. It's for women who are not happy with their low sex drive. Possible serious side effects include low blood pressure, dizziness and fainting. These side effects are more likely to happen if the medicine is mixed with alcohol. The FDA says not to drink alcohol if you take this medicine. Experts suggest that you stop taking the medicine if your sex drive doesn't improve after eight weeks.

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Addyi, or flibanserin, treats Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder, a common condition defined by lack of sexual desire in women. It has yet to achieve the same kind of widespread use or acceptance as men’s Viagra, which is used by millions of patients annually since its 1998 debut. The Pink Pill recounts the journey of Sprout Pharmaceuticals Founder and CEO Cindy Eckert, the entrepreneur whose company developed and brought Addyi to market, as she set out to expand access for sexual health treatments for women. Eckert’s path in developing Addyi for patient use was more of a struggle than it should’ve been, according to the documentary, which calls out the inequalities in availability of sexual health treatment between men and women. Lee highlights that FDA choices and approvals are not just regulatory decisions, but that they also shape who can get care and how easily.

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“If you’re a cisgender, white male, health care in the United States is pretty darn good, and your health care experience can be a uniquely personal one,” she said. In other words, women and minority groups often don’t have a similar, positive experience. “FDA decisions are not just scientific determinations, but structural choices that shape access, risk, and who benefits from innovation,” said Lee. The FDA declined approval for Addyi in 2010 and 2013, with some critics referring to the treatment as “an ineffective drug for a nonexistent problem.” However, data from the University of Colorado Anschutz Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology shows that 10% of women across all age groups suffer from HSDD, which can “cause significant levels of personal distress.” To put it into perspective, HSDD is just as common as autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, and in the U.S. alone there are nearly a million patients taking oral medication to treat their autoimmune condition.

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Though HSDD is not a threat to physical wellbeing, both conditions can have significant impact on a person’s life. Like most medications, Addyi doesn’t work for everyone, but its availability gives women struggling with HSDD an option that otherwise doesn’t exist. Still, early research didn’t quite satisfy the FDA. “When the data first went up for review in 2010, the FDA did not feel that there was enough data to support Addyi’s effectiveness,” said Lee. The drug was originally tested in a clinical trial with over 2,000 premenopausal women either taking Addyi or a placebo pill. The FDA also has approved a medicine given as a shot to treat low sexual desire in women before menopause. Bremelanotide (Vyleesi) is injected under the skin in the belly or thigh at least 45 minutes before having sex. It should not be used more than once a day or more than eight times a month.

Product	Dosage	Quantity + Bonus	Price
Viagra Original	100mg	14 + 2 Pills	89.03€ 84.79€	Buy
Viagra Soft Tabs	100mg	10 Pills	36.93€ 35.17€	Buy
Viagra Generic	200mg	30 + 2 Pills	83.07€ 79.11€	Buy
Viagra Oral Jelly	100mg	30 + 5 Sachets	115.76€ 110.25€	Buy
Viagra Professional	100mg	180 + 4 Pills	337.30€ 321.24€	Buy
Viagra Super Active	100mg	120 + 16 Pills	198.37€ 188.92€	Buy
Viagra Generic	150mg	20 Pills	55.02€ 52.40€	Buy
Viagra Generic	200mg	360 + 10 Pills	481.98€ 459.03€	Buy
Viagra Generic	50mg	90 + 6 Pills	107.37€ 102.26€	Buy
Viagra Generic	25mg	270 + 8 Pills	184.26€ 175.49€	Buy
Viagra Oral Jelly	100mg	220 + 18 Sachets	562.28€ 535.50€	Buy
Viagra Original	100mg	4 Pills	40.94€ 38.99€	Buy
Viagra Generic	100mg	20 Pills	45.58€ 43.41€	Buy
Viagra Generic	25mg	60 + 4 Pills	71.99€ 68.56€	Buy
Viagra Generic	50mg	30 + 4 Pills	54.26€ 51.68€	Buy

Side effects can include nausea, headache, vomiting and reactions at the site of the shot. Talk with your healthcare professional to see if this medicine might be right for you.

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Review the full product and patient information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider. Efficacy and safety of flibanserin in postmenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder: results of the SNOWDROP trial. Role of flibanserin in managing hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Simon JA, Thorp J, Millheiser L. Flibanserin for Premenopausal Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: Pooled Analysis of Clinical Trials.

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2019 Jun;28(6):769-777. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2018.7516 Flibanserin (Addyi): The First FDA-Approved Treatment for Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder in Premenopausal Women. Efficacy and Safety of Flibanserin for the Treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Joint Meeting of the Bone, Reproductive and Urologic Drugs Advisory Committee (BRUDAC) and the Drug Safety and Risk Management (DSaRM) Advisory Committee. How does Addyi work and is it effective?

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Vyleesi vs Addyi: What is the difference? Can I take Addyi while drinking alcohol? Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (4 questions, 28 members) While sexual dysfunction affects both men and women, men have 26 FDA-approved treatments to choose from. A new documentary explains that it’s in part because the FDA drug approval process determines which sexual health options are available, and how restrictions or labeling decisions can limit access for certain groups. “When you look at women — premenopausal, postmenopausal, transgender individuals — the conversation of what is available to you is not dictated by you,” explains Johns Hopkins Carey Business School Law and Ethics Professor Stacey Lee in The Pink Pill: Sex, Drugs & Who Has Control. Sexual problems may be due to trouble with arousal, a lack of desire or both. Many factors can affect sexual desire in women.

• Pink Viagra is sometimes associated with the concept of "designer drugs."
• These are chemically modified compounds to evade legal restrictions.
• They may have unpredictable potency and side effects.
• The production of pink Viagra designer drugs is often clandestine.
• Users should avoid unverified pink Viagra to prevent health hazards.
• Some pink Viagra products are labeled as dietary supplements deceptively.
• Scientific studies caution against non-approved pink Viagra compounds.
• Public health officials warn about the dangers of unregulated products.
• Always opt for medically approved treatments for sexual dysfunction.

Many women find that the stresses of daily life lower their desire for sex.

Episode Transcript

Lee adds that recent bigger picture events, though, like the overturn of Roe v. Wade and rollbacks on birth control access, have changed what health care looks like for women today. The approval and acceptance of Addyi is part of a much larger and ongoing conversation about women’s health and regulatory policy currently. “The past five to 10 years really calls into question where the state of women’s health is going,” Lee said. The Pink Pill: Sex, Drugs & Who Has Control is streaming on Paramount+ in Canada and the U.S.

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as of March 6, 2026. Given the success of medicines to treat trouble getting and keeping an erection, called erectile dysfunction, companies have looked for a medicine to help women with sex. Viagra even has been tried as a treatment for sexual dysfunction in women. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn't approved this use of Viagra. Highs and lows in sexual desire may go along with the beginning or end of a relationship or with major life changes, such as pregnancy or menopause.

Aspect	Data/Statistics	Notes
Global Market Size	Estimated at $500 million in 2023	Growing in popularity
Age Group	Mainly 30-50 years old	Peak demand
Gender	Primarily male consumers	Focus of marketing
Regional Popularity	higher in North America and Europe	Cultural acceptance varies
Purchase Channels	Online pharmacies, clinics	Discreet, convenient options

For some women, orgasm can be hard to reach. This can cause worries that lead to a loss of interest in sex. Desire often is linked to a sense of closeness between partners, as well as sexual issues from the past. Some chronic conditions, such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis, can cause changes in arousal or orgasm. If you have trouble with sexual desire or response, talk with a member of your healthcare team.

Country	Regulatory Status	Notes
USA	Approved generics available	OTC and prescription options available
UK	Prescription required	Strict regulation
Australia	Approved for medical use	Import restrictions apply
India	Widely manufactured, some unregulated brands	Varies in quality
Canada	Prescription only	Clinical evaluation necessary

You might want to talk to a sex therapist.

• Pink Viagra's appeal lies in its perception as a quick fix.
• Its availability online makes it accessible in many countries.
• Many pink Viagra products come with a risk of fake or expired supplies.
• The unregulated status heightens health conditions associated with use.
• Official health organizations warn against using unverified pink Viagra.
• Some pink Viagra products contain drugs banned in certain countries.
• Consumers are encouraged to read labels and seek professional advice.
• Legal action is taken against sellers of illegal pink Viagra.
• Better options include physician-prescribed, approved medications.

Medicines, hormones, creams, lubricants, clitoral stimulation or other treatments sometimes can help.

• Pink Viagra is sometimes used to describe counterfeit erectile dysfunction drugs.
• It is associated with online black market sales with no quality guarantee.
• The name "pink" may refer to the tablet or capsule color or branding.
• These products may be marketed as "safe" or "all-natural" but are not verified.
• Purchasing pink Viagra from unverified sources poses health risks.
• Pharmacists warn that pink Viagra may contain harmful contaminants.
• Some pink Viagra products falsely claim to be prescription-grade.
• Media reports often warn against unregulated "pink" sexual enhancement pills.
• Consumers should verify ingredients and safety before use.

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Participants taking Addyi were 10% more likely to report an increase in satisfying sexual events. A more recent study found that about half of women taking Addyi reported benefit to their sex life. Advocates for women’s health criticized the FDA’s early rejections and claimed gender bias, especially because Viagra was approved under an expedited priority review process, taking less than a year to achieve approval. Though the purposes of Addyi and Viagra are similar, Addyi corrects chemical imbalances of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that are responsible for sexual desire or excitement, which makes the drug approval process more complex. “Erectile dysfunction was seen as an unmet physical ailment,” said Lee.

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Because of that, Viagra was evaluated as treatment to viagra medicine address a physical need. HSDD was not considered an unmet physical ailment in the eyes of the FDA but rather an unmet psychological ailment, which “immediately triggers a higher standard of review and additional safety measures,” Lee adds. While the drugs had to be evaluated differently, supporters of Addyi claimed that stigma and overly cautious FDA warnings deterred patient use even after it was approved. For example, doctors and pharmacists had to take a test, known as a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy assessment, to prescribe and administer Addyi. The assessment included an online slide presentation followed by a comprehension test that proved the medical professionals knew and understood the drug’s risks of potential low blood pressure and fainting when combined with alcohol.

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Even further, patients had to sign a paper vowing not to drink while on the medication even though Cialis--another medication used to treat erectile dysfunction in men--creates similar interactions with alcohol but comes with no more than an advisement to moderate alcohol use. At the time of approval, the FDA argued that Addyi’s interaction with alcohol hadn’t yet been adequately studied. In 2019 and after additional research was conducted, the FDA modified its original alcohol warning for Addyi and removed the test requirement for doctors and pharmacists. In December of 2025, the FDA approved the drug for postmenopausal women, expanding access to more patients. Advocates say a drug to treat women’s sexual dysfunction is a start to addressing health inequity. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Women’s health topics - straight to your inbox Get the latest information from our Mayo Clinic experts on women’s health topics, serious and complex conditions, wellness and more. Click to view a preview and subscribe below.

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