When a woman takes Viagra, it doesn’t have the same effect as in men. But why are there differences in the treatment of sexual dysfunction between the two genders?
Viagra, which is the trade name for the compound sildenafil, is prescribed for men for erectile dysfunction.
When a woman takes Viagra it’s usually because of self-medication or because it has been prescribed under the table. However, Viagra is not recommended or approved for use in women by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
How does Viagra work?
Viagra is a blue pill prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction. It can be taken 30 minutes to 4 hours prior to sexual intercourse, and its effect lasts from 4 to 8 hours.
Its mechanism of action is by blocking an enzyme called phosphodiesterase. This generates smooth muscle relaxation, with increased blood flow and decreased blood pressure.
At the penile level, it produces relaxation of the smooth muscles of the penis, with increased blood flow, which produces and maintains the erection.
What are the benefits when a woman takes Viagra?
Experts believe that it works in a similar way in men and women, but its effect in women is less.
When a woman takes Viagra there’s an increase in blood flow to the genitals, especially to the clitoris and vaginal lips. This generates increased sensation and sensitivity, which can help with sexual arousal and reaching orgasm. This is especially true for postmenopausal women who have vaginal dryness.
However, increased blood flow doesn’t necessarily equate to increased sexual enjoyment or desire. So, in research, the use of Viagra in women hasn’t shown consistent benefits.
Viagra doesn’t really solve sexual dysfunction problems in women because there are often many causes, which can create a complex problem to solve.
When a woman takes Viagra it may really only be beneficial to increase sexual arousal (associated with stimulation) due to physiological changes.
There’s one situation where a woman may benefit from taking Viagra
In several studies, it has been shown that Viagra may benefit women who take medications to treat depression. In particular, those taking serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin-norepinephrine receptor inhibitors, both of which can cause sexual dysfunction as an adverse effect.
In these cases, it has been shown to improve sexual arousal and decrease orgasm latency time. Clarifying that, Viagra should not be taken unless it has the recommended criteria and the authorization of a doctor.
Sexual dysfunction in women is very complex
Sexual dysfunction in women may be due to problems in the ability to enjoy sex, low libido (or sexual desire), problems at the time of arousal, problems reaching orgasm, or the presence of pain during sex.
Low sexual desire may be due to a hormonal, physical, or psychological origin. First of all, organic causes such as drugs (hormonal contraceptives, antihypertensives, antidepressants) or menopause should be ruled out.
There are many contributing factors and Viagra doesn’t really improve all of them. Libido and arousal (when sexually stimulated) are two different things.
If a woman takes Viagra, she can benefit if her problem lies in sexual arousal. This is because it increases sensitivity and there’s more response to stimuli as a result). However, it doesn’t help with low libido or other problems related to the woman’s psychology.
Risks when a woman takes Viagra
Viagra has adverse effects, which, in women, are most often associated with low blood pressure, headache, facial flushing, nasal congestion, nausea and visual disturbances.
The greatest risk of taking Viagra is that it can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, most often within hours of taking it. Therefore, it shouldn’t be mixed with anti-hypertensive medications or recreational drugs.
It’s considered safe for use in men, but its effect on women hasn’t been demonstrated, especially in the long term.
What alternatives are there for women with sexual dysfunction?
A Viagra for women doesn’t exist as such, because Viagra itself is a brand name. However, there are several medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
One of them is Addyi (flibanserin) which is recommended for women before menopause. Many call it the “female Viagra”, as it’s a pink pill that increases sexual desire in women and whose best known adverse effect is decreased appetite. It should be taken every day.
Flibanserin is recommended for women diagnosed with inhibited sexual desire syndrome (or hypoactive sexual desire disorder) which, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), refers to a persistent and recurrent decrease or absence of fantasies and desires for sexual activity, causing discomfort or difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
Addyi acts on certain neurotransmitters, activating dopamine and regulating the excessive accumulation of serotonin. In this way, it acts directly on libido or sexual desire.
Another drug called Vylessi (or bremelanotide) acts in a similar way, modifying brain chemistry. This must be injected 45 minutes before having sex, and one dose can be used every 24 hours and no more than 8 doses in a month. Its most frequent adverse effects are headaches, facial flushing, and reactions in the area of the injection.
On the other hand, tibolone is a drug used for menopausal hormone therapy. It has a libido-enhancing effect (as it improves the production of beta-endorphins) and facilitates vaginal lubrication (decreasing, in addition to lubrication, pain during sex) in menopausal women (because it has an estrogenic effect).
So… when a woman takes Viagra she doesn’t really benefit?
No, because Viagra only has the physical effects of increased blood flow, which is what helps erectile dysfunction.
For women, it might help when the problem is associated with difficulties in sexual arousal, but there’s not enough evidence of its long-term effect.
In addition, in most cases, sexual dysfunction in women is associated with decreased sexual desire, on which Viagra has no effect.
