Viagra For Women: Can Females Take it?

Viagra is not licensed or recommended for women in the UK.

It was developed specifically to treat erectile dysfunction in men by increasing blood flow to the penis.

Studies looking at its use in women have shown mixed and mostly disappointing results, with no consistent improvement in sexual desire, arousal, or satisfaction.

Because of this lack of proven benefit, and the potential for side effects, healthcare professionals do not prescribe Viagra for women.

In short, no, Viagra does not work for women in the same way it works for men.

Female sexual dysfunction is often driven by hormonal, psychological, and relationship factors rather than issues with blood flow.

Clinical trials have not found reliable evidence that Viagra improves sexual desire, lubrication, or arousal in women.

For this reason, Viagra is not considered an effective treatment for female sexual dysfunction.

If a woman takes Viagra, she is unlikely to see any meaningful improvement in sexual function, because the medication does not target the underlying causes of female sexual dysfunction.

However, she may still experience side effects, such as headaches, flushing, dizziness, indigestion, or changes in blood pressure.

Since the risks outweigh any potential benefits, medical experts advise against women using Viagra.

Many women find that sex is not always pleasurable, and for some, even thinking about sex can cause distress. This can happen at different stages of life, affecting up to 40% of women.

However, if sex consistently feels like a chore rather than something enjoyable, and these feelings have lasted a long time or are affecting your relationship, you may be experiencing female sexual dysfunction (FSD).

Temporarily “not being in the mood” does not mean you have FSD.

For some women, these difficulties have been present throughout their sexual lives.

For others, FSD begins later and may be triggered by factors such as:

• Illness
• Pregnancy
• Childbirth
• Chronic stress
• Menopause
• Medication side effects
• Cancer treatment
• Other long-term conditions
• Mental health issues like depression

In some cases, FSD can develop gradually without an obvious cause.

FSD can present differently from woman to woman. You may experience one symptom, a combination, or several at once.

Common symptoms include:

Low sex drive (low libido)

This involves having little or no desire for sex, reduced or absent sexual thoughts or fantasies, and a lack of interest even when stimulation is present. Some women also lose interest in masturbation.

Problems achieving orgasm

You may find it difficult or impossible to orgasm, even with adequate arousal or ongoing stimulation. Some women experience delayed orgasms or notice that the intensity of orgasms has reduced over time.

Painful sex

Painful sex is common and can occur during penetration, deep thrusting, or after intercourse. Some women experience involuntary tightening of the pelvic floor muscles (vaginismus), which can prevent penetration entirely. Anxiety or fear of pain can also make symptoms worse before, during, or after sex.

Managing FSD often involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medical treatment, and emotional or relationship support.

Depending on the underlying cause, your treatment plan may include:

• Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or stopping smoking
• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for symptoms linked to menopause
• Testosterone therapy may be prescribed off label to women with low sexual desire, particularly those who have undergone surgical menopause or have reduced testosterone levels
• Some antidepressants, such as bupropion, have been used off label to address sexual dysfunction in women
• Improving physical fitness and overall activity levels
• Speaking with a counsellor or therapist
• Couples’ counselling to address relationship-related difficulties
• Reducing alcohol intake
• Pelvic floor exercises to improve muscle control and reduce pain
• Reviewing medications (certain antidepressants, for example, can lower libido)
• Switching hormonal contraceptives, if they are contributing to low desire
• Exploring non-penetrative sexual activities to reduce pressure and improve intimacy

Lifestyle adjustments can make a significant difference. For example, research shows that women who smoke are 48% more likely to experience FSD than non-smokers. Stopping smoking may help improve libido and sexual response.

Similarly, studies suggest that obesity can contribute to sexual dysfunction, while regular exercise is associated with improvements in sexual desire, satisfaction, and overall wellbeing.

This highlights the important role of a healthy lifestyle in sexual health.

Flibanserin (Addyi)

This medication is approved in the USA to treat FSD in women before menopause. Used to treat low sex drive in women, it is often compared to Viagra, even though they work in different ways.

Flibanserin works by targeting neurotransmitters in the brain to increase sexual desire.

*Flibanserin is not licensed in the UK

Bremelanotide (Vyleesi)

Also approved in the USA to treat FSD, bremelanotide is a peptide hormone that acts on melanocortin receptors in the brain, enhancing sexual desire.

*Bremelanotide is not licensed in the UK

Lady Era uses sildenafil citrate, the active ingredient found in Viagra, to enhance genital blood flow and arousal in women. Because of this, it is often described as the closest thing to a “women’s Viagra” currently available. 

However, clinical studies examining the use of Sildenafil for female sexual dysfunction, have shown mixed and generally inconclusive results. 

As a result, Lady Era is not licensed for medical use in the UK, and healthcare professionals do not recommend it as a treatment for female sexual dysfunction. 

• There is no approved “Viagra for women” in the UK, and Viagra itself does not work the same way in women as it does in men.
• Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is common, affecting up to 40% of women, and can involve low libido, difficulty with arousal or orgasm, or pain during sex.
• FSD can be caused by a mix of physical, psychological, hormonal, and relationship factors, and symptoms usually need to persist for six months or more for a diagnosis.
• Lifestyle changes, counselling, pelvic floor exercises, medication reviews, hormonal treatment, and improvements in general health can all help manage FSD.
• Products like Lady Era, which contain sildenafil, are marketed as “women’s Viagra,” but studies show inconsistent benefits, and they are not licensed in the UK.
• Effective treatment depends on identifying the underlying cause, and speaking with a GP or sexual health professional is the best first step.