Cialis for Women: Can Women Take Tadalafil?

• Cialis (tadalafil) is only approved for men with erectile dysfunction.
• It is not licensed or proven effective for women.
• Women who take tadalafil may experience side effects like flushing, headache, or dizziness.
• Research does not support its routine use in women.

Tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis) is a medicine licensed for men with erectile dysfunction (ED) and sometimes benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It works by relaxing blood vessels and increasing blood flow to certain areas of the body — most notably, the penis.

But can women take Cialis too?

Tadalafil belongs to a group of medicines known as phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) inhibitors.

It helps relax blood vessels and increases blood flow to the penis, when a man is sexually stimulated.

This helps to achieve and maintain an erection.

Theoretically, tadalafil may also increase blood flow to the female genital area, potentially improving sensitivity – however, research has not confirmed this.

No – tadalafil is not licensed or approved for women in the UK or Europe.

It is only licensed to treat:

• Erectile dysfunction in men
• Urinary symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Clinical studies involving women have shown mixed and inconclusive results. There isn’t enough evidence that tadalafil improves sexual desire, arousal, or satisfaction in women.

For this reason, Cialis should not be used by women, unless specifically prescribed by a healthcare professional in a research setting.

If a woman takes tadalafil, the medicine may temporarily increase blood flow to pelvic tissues – including the vagina and clitoris. This might cause warmth, flushing, or increased sensitivity, but it does not guarantee increased arousal or sexual satisfaction.

Some women may experience unpleasant side effects with Tadalafil, including:

• Headache
• Facial flushing
• Nasal congestion
• Dizziness or light-headedness (due to lower blood pressure)
• Indigestion or upset stomach
• Muscle aches or back pain

In rare cases, tadalafil could cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure, particularly if combined with alcohol, nitrates, or blood pressure medication.

Because tadalafil has not been tested extensively in women, there’s also limited data on long-term safety, hormone effects, or potential interactions with contraceptives or hormone therapy.

If a woman accidentally takes tadalafil, it’s unlikely to cause serious harm – but if she feels unwell, dizzy, or experiences chest pain, she should seek medical advice promptly.

A few small studies have explored whether tadalafil could help women with female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) or antidepressant-related sexual dysfunction.

While some results showed minor improvements in genital blood flow, most studies found no significant benefit in overall sexual function or satisfaction.

Side effects were similar to those seen in men – mainly headache, flushing, and nasal congestion.

The overall conclusion from research is that tadalafil does not have enough proven benefit to outweigh potential risks in women.

There is currently no licensed female version of Cialis. 

However, two other medicines have been developed for female sexual dysfunction, mainly in the US: 

These medicines are not yet licensed or routinely available in the UK. 

Tadalafil affects blood pressure and blood vessel dilation, so taking it without medical guidance can be risky.

Women should avoid using tadalafil without a prescription or supervision. Anyone struggling with low libido, arousal issues, or discomfort should speak to a GP, sexual health specialist, or pharmacist for advice.

There may be underlying hormonal, physical, or emotional causes that require a different treatment approach.

Tadalafil is used to treat ED in men only. It is not licensed or proven to be effective for women and taking it may lead to side effects such as headache, flushing, or dizziness.

Current research does not support its use in women.

Anyone experiencing sexual health concerns should seek professional medical advice rather than self-medicating.