Is there anything that can be considered the female Viagra?

First of all, to eliminate an ambiguity, we have to say that there isa “feminine” Viagra. And we are talking about the same drug (sildenafil citrate), of the same formulation, that is very effective in the treatment Erectile Dysfunction in males.

Different studies were performed (and there are others in development) on its effect on females, given the similarities in structure and biochemistry of the tissues of the penis and the clitoris (which is not only what you see, but  a body has, and two “arm” side is engorged with blood during arousal phase); or on whether the mechanism of action of sildenafil citrate would be similar on the inside of the penis and the clitoris.

Does Viagra have substances that increase the libido of females?

Viagra is not a substance that increases libido, acting on the stage of sexual response (also known as, erection; and we know that the clitoris has erectile capacity) and requires the presence of desire, foreplay and sexual stimulation to act . If a male has an erectile dysfunction, which one has been suffering for years, and now with the help of Viagra is able to give satisfaction to his partner, that obviously increases his self-esteem and the sexual desire in an indirect way. But in fact, it not VIAGRA that produced that result, but what it did was recovery of erectile response and a better quality of life.

In women, VIAGRA does not act by increasing of desire but the swelling and clitoral sensitivity.

In which cases could VIAGRA be used for females?

Viagra increases vascular congestion and possibly lubrication in pre- and postmenopausal women with such problems. Also it might improve vaginal dilation, replacing pain during penetration with pleasure. In these cases intimate lubricant gels (such as KEMIAL ) are also indicated. These do not alter the vaginal environment and open the pores of condoms.

By increasing clitoral turgor (flexibility), VIAGRA might improve orgasmic response, and, this way, be used as a complement to the main treatment  in females with anorgasmia . At the Congress of American psychiatry (Chicago, 2000) where we presented a paper on “Effects of Viagra in men with and without risk factors“, there was another work that spoke of its use in women with sexual problems caused by depression.

Studies on VIAGRA uses in females detected improvements in lubrication in 63% of women vs. 0% of placebo, and orgasmic response was improved by 56% vs 6% of placebo. A study with 22 women with a hysterectomy (removal of uterus) and sexual dysfunction showed that sildenafil may improve sensitivity, the ability to orgasm and decrease intercourse pain.

But never, nor in the males, the entire treatment can focus on a single option. We think that in a sexual encounter multiple aspects come into play, such as sociocultural, ideological, situational, illnesses, stress , psychological and relational conflicts, side effects of medications, etc; so that a single approach can not account for all variables.

What percentage of the visits are made by women?

In the American Center for Sexology and Psychiatry, approximately 40% of patients are women with ages ranging from 18 to 70 years.

The reasons for consultation are often varied:

Obsessions , phobias (agoraphobia, claustrophobia, social phobia), panic attacks , sexual phobias (contact phobia, penetration, seeing genitals), psychosis (schizophrenia , bipolar disorder, neurosis, depression (in these cases females are in greater proportion than men).

Total anorgasmia

  • Partial anorgasmia during intercourse (not achieved by penetration but in other ways)
  • Inhibited sexual desire ("unwillingness")
  • Dyspareunia (painful intercourse and problems with lubrication )
  • Vaginismus
  • Sexual Problems in Menopause
  • Bad coupling with your partner
  • Their partner’s sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation , inhibited desire, delayed ejaculation, phobias to enter)
  • Unconsummated marriages
  • Sexual identity disorders
  • Women who were sexually abused in childhood

Do women often go alone to the consultation?

Generally females come alone. But we frequently see that they are the ones that drive men to consult with the sexologist, which indicates a change of position and progress. It is noteworthy that many men refuse to accompany them, as if they believe they have nothing to do with the symptom.

What Drugs Enhance Women’s Sexual Desire?

At the moment, in USA and Europe, there are no approved drugs that enhance female’s sexual dysfunction. But the recent researches and independent polls show that Viagra, a currently approved treatment for male’s impotence, can be helpful for increasing of women’s sexual drive.

Sildenafil citrate is an active ingredient in Viagra (a prescription erection pills). It acts as an inhibitor of enzymes that are responsible for erection in males. To put it simply, sildenafil improves blood flow to the men’s pelvic area. But it only works with the presence of sexual stimulation. The women’s sexuality researches claim that the mechanism of how sildenafil works in males can be applicable to women.

Therefore, Viagra can improve a sexual life in women who suffer from poor arousal as well as frigidity. It’s possible that with the help of Viagra a woman can reach orgasm much easier.

Note that this oral drug is neither an aphrodisiac nor does it protect again sexually transmitted infections.