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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.

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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. 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.

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“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. 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.

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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. Because of that, Viagra was evaluated as treatment to 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. 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.

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“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. 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. The FDA says not to drink alcohol if you take this medicine.

How FDA decisions shape access

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? 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.

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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. 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.

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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. “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. Experts suggest that you stop taking the medicine if your sex drive doesn't improve after eight weeks.

• 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 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.

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But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn't approved this use of Viagra. 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. It should not be used more than once a day or more than eight times a month.

• Pink Viagra is linked to the broader category of sexual wellness products.
• It competes with herbal supplements and other natural remedies.
• The market is driven by increasing awareness of sexual health.
• Consumers are advised to choose products with regulatory approval.
• Unscrupulous vendors often exploit demand with false claims.
• Regular medical check-ups are recommended for ongoing sexual issues.
• Personalized treatment plans are more effective than over-the-counter products.
• Comprehensive sexual health education reduces reliance on unverified solutions.
• Research continues into safe and effective sexual enhancement options.

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.

Episode Transcript

Do not drink alcohol close to the time you take your Addyi dose because this increases your risk of severe low blood pressure and fainting (loss of consciousness). If you take Addyi and feel dizzy or lightheaded, lie down right away if you feel like you could faint. Get emergency help or ask someone else to do this. If you faint, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do things that require clear thinking until at least 6 hours after you take Addyi and until you know how this medicine affects you.

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You can learn more about Addyi side effects here. This is not all the information you need to know about Addyi (flibanserin) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. 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.

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Simon JA, Thorp J, Millheiser L. Flibanserin for Premenopausal Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: Pooled Analysis of Clinical Trials. 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. Sexual problems may be due to trouble with arousal, a lack of desire or both.

• Pink Viagra is sometimes labeled as a herbal supplement for sexual health.
• These herbal variants often include ingredients like ginseng or maca.
• Effectiveness of herbal pink Viagra is anecdotal and varies greatly.
• Scientific evidence supporting herbal pink Viagra claims is limited.
• It is important to differentiate between herbal supplements and prescription drugs.
• Herbal pink Viagra may have fewer side effects than pharmaceutical versions.
• Some herbal pink Viagra products are marketed as "all-natural" remedies.
• Always check for validations or certifications before use.
• Consult a healthcare provider for safe and effective treatment options.

Many factors can affect sexual desire in women. Many women find that the stresses of daily life lower their desire for sex. 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.

Is Addyi right for you?

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. 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.

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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 dapoxetine viagra dysfunction is a start to addressing health inequity. 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. 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.