Some studies suggest that a topical sildenafil cream, applied to the skin, may improve HSDD before menopause, especially in females with no other sexual dysfunction that limits orgasm.
| Product Name | Average Rating (out of 5) | User Feedback Highlights | Common Likes | Common Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Addyi | 3.2 | Improved desire, easy to take | Discreet, effective for some | Side effects, cost concerns |
| Vyleesi | 3.8 | Instant effect, easy injection | Quick action, convenient | Injections, cost |
| Pink Viagra | 2.5 | Similar to male Viagra, available online | Affordable, accessible | Less reliable, side effects |
| Experimental Therapies | N/A | Limited data, not widely tested | Hope for future options | Unpredictable effects |
Both Addyi and Vyleesi are approved for use in women before menopause, but only Addyi is specifically approved for postmenopausal women with HSDD.
Addyi and Vyleesi may offer options for younger women with acquired changes in sexual desire due to surgery or other factors that contributed to early menopause.
Addyi is a daily oral medication, while Vyleesi is an injectable taken before intimacy. Addyi and Vyleesi are medications approved for treating HSDD, a condition in which the lack of interest in sex lasts a minimum of six months. Symptoms include a decrease or absence of sexual interest or arousal that causes significant distress and is not explained by another condition or stressor. Neither medication is approved for use in males and neither has any effect on physical sexual performance. Addyi is a serotonin 5-HT-receptor agonist, meaning it interacts with serotonin and other chemicals in the brain. Addyi is safe to use for those with HSDD who take certain medications for depression, but it's not meant as a treatment for depression.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viagra Super Active | 100mg | 20 + 4 Pills | 48.05€ 45.76€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 50mg | 90 + 6 Pills | 107.37€ 102.26€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 111.25€ 105.95€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 90 + 6 Pills | 105.03€ 100.03€ | |
| Viagra Original | 100mg | 76 + 4 Pills | 306.59€ 291.99€ | |
| Viagra Super Active | 100mg | 270 + 30 Pills | 390.61€ 372.01€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 120 + 6 Pills | 125.56€ 119.58€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 50mg | 360 + 10 Pills | 225.33€ 214.60€ | |
| Viagra Original | 100mg | 14 + 2 Pills | 89.03€ 84.79€ | |
| Viagra Soft Tabs | 100mg | 90 + 6 Pills | 205.31€ 195.53€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 30 + 4 Pills | 47.97€ 45.69€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 100mg | 30 + 4 Pills | 60.91€ 58.01€ |
The most common side effects of Addyi include: Addyi has had its share of controversy; due to concerns about safety and efficacy, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required more clinical trials before approving the drug.
If you answer “yes” to the first four questions, and there’s no other cause for your low sex drive, you probably have HSDD. Volkar says the distress that a woman feels about her sex drive is often the driving factor in whether or not she needs to take medicine for it. “Because if you aren’t bothered by it, it’s not a problem,” she says. Also, your doctor will want “to make sure it's not related to your present situation or relationship. Because you can't fix HSDD if the problem is you really don't like your partner,” she says.
Some insurance companies will cover HSDD medications. Your cost will vary based on your plan, but out-of-pocket cost for flibanserin is about $100 for 30 pills (1 month’s supply). Both drugs have different concerns and risks. The one you should take mostly depends on what works best for your lifestyle. “There are certainly women who have no interest in injections,” Volkar says. Some people may experience low blood pressure and fainting. People with liver disease should not take Addyi.
| Side Effect | Description | Frequency | Severity | Management Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | Feeling of sickness | Common | Mild to moderate | Take with food, stay hydrated |
| Headache | Throbbing pain in head | Frequent | Mild to moderate | OTC pain relievers may help |
| Dizziness | Lightheadedness | Sometimes | Mild | Avoid sudden movements |
| Sleep disturbances | Insomnia or vivid dreams | Less common | Mild to moderate | Adjust dosage or timing |
The most common side effects of Vyleesi include: Some people may experience a temporary increase in blood pressure and a reduction in heart rate.
The exact way it works is unclear. Unlike Viagra, it's not taken just viagra jellys before sex for short-term effects. Addyi establishes a consistent level in your body as it is taken orally once daily at bedtime, regardless of sexual activity plans. It may take several weeks to work. If no improvement is noted after eight weeks, discontinuation is advised. They may develop localized areas of hyperpigmentation (areas of darkened skin). People with uncontrolled high blood pressure should not take Vyleesi.
| Factor | Description | Impact on Effectiveness | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hormonal Levels | Estrogen and progesterone balance | Significant | Hormone therapy may be needed |
| Underlying Medical Conditions | Diabetes, depression, cardiovascular issues | Reduces efficacy | Treatment of underlying conditions recommended |
| Medication Interactions | Antidepressants, antihypertensives | Can diminish effect | Consult doctor before use |
| Psychological State | Stress, anxiety, relationship issues | Affects perception | Counseling may help |
You also should not take these medications if you are: Taking Addyi and alcohol within two hours of each other raises the risk of severe low blood pressure and fainting.
“Others have no interest in taking a pill every day.” It’s best to talk to your doctor about which one would work for you. Researchers have mainly studied how the medicines work in women who haven’t gone through menopause yet. So the FDA 25 mg viagra approved both drugs for premenopausal women only. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use either drug. There are others who shouldn’t take the medications, including those who: Take medication for HIV, hepatitis C, or high blood pressure that’s not under control “They can also interact with several drugs women commonly take, like fluconazole (Diflucan), which is a yeast infection medication, and also some antibiotics,” Volkar says.
“So it's good to be aware of what medications you're on and discuss those with your doctor.” Women who use HSDD medications shouldn’t drink alcohol from 2 hours before they take the drug until the following morning, because it can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. The drugs can cause side effects, such as: Bremelanotide can cause your skin and gums to get darker. To measure how well these drugs treat HSDD, doctors look at whether sexual desire has gone up and if distress about it has gone down. Volkar says flibanserin typically leads to “one more sexually significant event per month.” That may sound like a success to some and not to others. “It depends on how you define things,” she says. Do not take Addyi if you also take moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors.
It activates certain natural substances in the brain that affect mood and thinking, but the exact mechanism of action isn't clear. You use a prefilled syringe to inject Vyleesi just under the skin in the abdomen or thigh as needed, 45 minutes before sexual activity. The duration of its effect is uncertain, but the label advises no more than one injection in 24 hours and no more than eight injections per month. Research continues into other options for HSDD treatment, including the use of testosterone, Lorexys (a combination of bupropion and trazodone), and other potential therapies. For females, some providers may prescribe Viagra off-label (for uses not specifically intended or approved but that may be beneficial). Vyleesi can slow absorption and make some oral medications, such as antibiotics, less effective. Do not use it if you take oral naltrexone products for alcohol or opioid addiction.
“Is that awesome, or is that not so great? When I'm counseling a patient, I kind of leave that to their discretion and let them decide what that means for them.” There is no “normal” amount of sex or desire. So a change in the distress a woman feels about her sex drive is often a key sign of how well the treatment is working. If you try the medicine for 8 weeks and you haven’t felt a change, your doctor may recommend you stop taking it. The bottom line, Volkar says, is that though these treatments may not be perfect yet, having two medications available on the market is a move in the right direction.
“I think it's great that we're finally doing research into medications for women and sexual desire,” she says. “I don't think it's quite the answer yet, but it’s an important first step.” Addyi and Vyleesi are approved medications for boosting sexual desire in women. Addyi is a pill taken daily at bedtime, not just before sex. Vyleesi is injected in the abdomen or thigh before sex. Currently, there is no direct female equivalent of Viagra, but medications like Addyi and Vyleesi are approved to boost sexual desire in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). Viagra, Addyi, and Vyleesi require a prescription from a healthcare provider and should come from a reliable source. Illegitimate online pharmacies may not comply with laws or health and safety regulations. Being able to order without a prescription is a big red flag. Check with a healthcare provider or pharmacist before trying products that claim to boost libido. Also, be aware of the bold claims of sexual enhancement products sold by retailers, distributors, or online.
The FDA cautions that some of these products may contain hidden ingredients that harm your health. Flibanserin, approved to treat HSDD in premenopausal females and postmenopausal females under age 65 Flibanserin, approved to treat HSDD in premenopausal females and postmenopausal females under age 65 Taken by mouth at 100 mg each day at bedtime Taken by mouth at 100 mg each day at bedtime Can cause low blood pressure and fainting Can cause low blood pressure and fainting Should not be taken within two hours of drinking alcohol Should not be taken within two hours of drinking alcohol Should be avoided in people taking CYP3A4 inhibitors or those with liver dysfunction Should be avoided in people taking CYP3A4 inhibitors or those with liver dysfunction Use has not been tested in pregnant people Use has not been tested in pregnant people Stop using after eight weeks if no benefit or improvement Stop using after eight weeks if no benefit or improvement Bremelanotide, approved to treat HSDD in premenopausal females Bremelanotide, approved to treat HSDD in premenopausal females Subcutaneous injection of 1.75 mg, 45 minutes before sex Subcutaneous injection of 1.75 mg, 45 minutes before sex Use only once in 24 hours, and eight times per month Use only once in 24 hours, and eight times per month Can temporarily increase blood pressure and heart rate Can temporarily increase blood pressure and heart rate Should not be used in people with known heart disease or untreated high blood pressure Should not be used in people with known heart disease or untreated high blood pressure Should not be used in pregnant people (animal studies suggest the risk of fetal harm) Should not be used in pregnant people (animal studies suggest the risk of fetal harm) Addyi and Vyleesi are approved to treat FSIAD/HSDD, so it's important to ensure the diagnosis.
You take one in a 24-hour period, and doctors recommend only eight shots per month. Both drugs boost the activity of chemical messengers in your brain, called neurotransmitters, that are key to helping you feel aroused. You take flibanserin every day, whether you plan to have sex or not. You inject bremelanotide only when you need it. It’s important to note that neither drug makes sex better.
They just make you more likely to feel in the mood. Your doctor may recommend that you try sex education and counseling along with the medication. You may also need hormone therapy, if you deal with any physical issues that affect sex, such as vaginal dryness. Your doctor needs to diagnose you with HSDD in order to prescribe either drug. They can do that by asking screening questions, such as: • Have you been satisfied with your level of sexual desire before?• Has your sex drive gotten lower?• Does your lack of libido bother you?• Would you like it to increase?• Are there other things (medication, pregnancy, surgery, stress) that could be affecting your sex drive?