This is the first randomized placebo-controlled study to show a significant decrease in sexual side effects when looking at the use of
| Brand Name | Formulation | Dosage Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viagra Women | Oral tablet | 25 mg, 50 mg | Off-label use, not approved by FDA |
| Female Arousal Gel | Topical gel | N/A | Claimed to enhance blood flow |
| Sildenafil Citrate | Generic oral tablet | 25-100 mg | Widely used off-label in women |
| Custom Compounded | Customized formulations | Variable | Prescribed by special clinics |
sildenafil in premenopausal women with SSRI-associated sexual dysfunction, supporting previous case reports and open label studies of this medication in this population.
This study showed that doses of sildenafil between 50mg-100mg, with the mean study dose of 91.7 mg, lead to an improvements in sexual side effects in the treatment group compared to the placebo control group. 28% of women taking sildenafil reported no improvement with the treatment, while 73% of women taking placebo reported no improvement. There was no statistical difference in the baseline and end-of-study Hamilton depression scores. While there were no baseline endocrine value differences between the two groups, participants with higher levels of testosterone and thyroxin were more likely to experience improvement in sexual function, regardless of the assigned treatment group. Headache, flushing, dyspepsia, nasal congestion, and transient visual disturbances were the most common adverse events reported with sildenafil use in this study; nausea and increased anxiety were more commonly reported in the placebo group than the study group. Nurnberg HG, Hensley PL, Heiman JR, Croft HA, Debattista C, Paine S.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 360 + 10 Pills | 213.68€ 203.50€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 50mg | 180 + 8 Pills | 158.82€ 151.26€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 50mg | 90 + 6 Pills | 107.37€ 102.26€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 100mg | 360 + 10 Pills | 330.21€ 314.49€ | |
| Kamagra Soft Tabs | 100mg | 272 + 12 Pills | 593.42€ 565.16€ | |
| Kamagra Soft Tabs | 100mg | 32 Pills | 120.11€ 114.39€ | |
| Kamagra Polo | 100mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 189.39€ 180.37€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 100mg | 120 + 6 Pills | 149.50€ 142.38€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 10 Pills | 36.73€ 34.98€ | |
| Kamagra Soft Tabs | 100mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 180.59€ 171.99€ | |
| Kamagra Polo | 100mg | 84 + 4 Pills | 244.49€ 232.85€ |
Sildenafil Treatment of Women with Antidepressant-Associated Sexual Dysfunction.
DARE to PLAY is a topical sildenafil cream enhancing female arousal, available in select states as a compounded product while awaiting FDA approval.
Viagra targets sexual performance, not sexual arousal. There’s limited evidence that the drug is somewhat beneficial for female sexual dysfunction. This article explores whether viagra is safe or effective for female sexual dysfunction, and available alternatives. The use of binary terms such as “male” and “female” or “men” and “women” in this article reflects the language of the sources we’ve used. Unless otherwise noted, it’s unclear whether the research we reference included participants with expansive gender identities.
Yes, anyone can take sildenafil (Viagra), regardless of gender. Viagra is another brand of sildenafil that doctors primarily prescribe to treat erectile dysfunction. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved Viagra for female use, your doctor may prescribe it for off-label use. Like all drugs, Viagra can cause side effects. It can also interact with other medications.
It’s important to speak with your doctor before taking Viagra. PDE5 is an enzyme that affects blood flow. Below are some potential effects of taking Viagra. Viagra dilates blood vessels and increases the flow of blood to the penis. Viagra may also cause increased blood flow to the genitals of people without a penis, which may help increase sensitivity, arousal, and orgasmic function. Clinical trials showed improved arousal sensation scores, though not statistically significant compared to placebo, with significant benefits in a subset of women with FSAD.
| Factor | Impact | Explanation | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anxiety | Reduced efficacy | Anxiety can impair sexual response | Counseling or therapy suggested |
| Depression | Reduced libido affecting outcomes | Mental health impacts physiological response | Medical treatment advisable |
| Stress | Interferes with arousal | Acute stress can impair drug effectiveness | Stress management techniques |
| Confidence in intimacy | Enhances perceived effectiveness | Positive attitude can improve outcomes | Psychological support recommended |
Daré Bioscience said the sildenafil cream’s availability will expand to other states throughout December 2025 and early 2026.
Sexual side effects in women may entail decreased sexual desire, difficulty with orgasm, genital sensitivity, reduced sexual activity, pain with sexual intercourse, decreased vaginal lubrication, and dissatisfaction or loss of pleasure from sexual activity. Sildenafil, marketed under the name Viagra, is a selective phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men, and has received study for men with depression and erectile dysfunction associated with SSRI treatment. In women, initial trials using selective phosphodiesterase inhibitors looking at both premenopausal and postmenopausal women did not show significant improvements for sexual arousal disorder; however, later randomized controlled trials supported their use for the improved frequency of sexual intercourse, arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction. conducted over 7 outpatient medical centers, 98 premenopausal women with remitted depression on SSRI antidepressants, ages 18-50 years old, were enrolled into an 8 week prospective, parallel- group, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial. This study used the Clinical Global Impression sexual function scale as a primary measure, and also utilized the Female Sexual Function Questionnaire, the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale-female version, and the University of New Mexico Sexual Function Inventory- female version, a sexual activity event log, and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. DARE to PLAY, a proprietary topical arousal cream designed to enhance genital blood flow and arousal response in women, can now be prescribed in
If you do plan on taking Viagra, consider the source. Some online sites that claim to sell Viagra are selling counterfeit drugs. These may not work like Viagra and may not be safe. To access the real thing, you’ll need a prescription. A doctor will decide on the dose and provide safety information.
Viagra is an ED medication that improves blood flow to the penis. Viagra is a brand name, and there’s no “Viagra for women.” There are, however, a few FDA-approved medications to treat low female sexual desire. Because it’s a pink tablet and Viagra is a blue tablet, the nickname “female Viagra” was bound to happen. But these are different drugs with different missions. Addyi is a brand name for a nonhormonal medication called flibanserin.
You inject it under the skin on your abdomen or thigh about 45 minutes before you plan to have sex. Both medications are approved to treat acquired, generalized sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women. Specifically, it’s for low sexual desire that causes distress, but is unrelated to: Addyi and Vyleesi treat sexual desire, though the exact mechanism of action isn’t clear. They seem to affect certain pathways in the brain that influence sexual desire. Side effects of Addyi include low blood pressure, fainting, and nausea. select states, manufacturer Daré Bioscience, Inc announced in a news release.1 “When Viagra [sildenafil citrate] was approved in 1998, it revolutionized sexual medicine for men.
But for women, comparable progress on enhancing the natural arousal sensations has stalled for nearly 3 decades,” said Sabrina Martucci Johnson, President and CEO of Daré Bioscience, in the news release.
| Risk | Details | Precaution |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular complications | Increased blood pressure, arrhythmias | Screen for cardiovascular disease before use |
| Drug interactions | Severe hypotension, adverse effects from combinations | Complete medication history before prescribing |
| Allergic reactions | Rashes, swelling, difficulty breathing | Discontinue and seek medical attention if occurs |
| Psychological dependency | Over-reliance on medication for arousal | Counseling for emotional health |
| Misuse and overdose | Increased adverse effects | Strict adherence to prescribed dose |
“We believe DARE to PLAY represents a long overdue correction, giving women an option to reconnect with their own bodies, their pleasure, and their confidence, using science that finally recognizes their
It helps to understand that sexual dysfunction is a complex issue. In a 2024 study, a topical cream with 3.6% sildenafil improved outcomes in people with female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD), particularly people without orgasm dysfunction. Another 2024 study found that age and hormonal contraceptives didn’t affect the effectiveness of topical sildenafil creams on FSAD. However, additional use of psychiatric medication decreased sexual desire in people using the cream and participants who used a placebo. More research is necessary to fully understand any potential benefit from the Viagra form of sildenafil for female sexual dysfunction.
One thing that can suppress libido is the use of certain antidepressants, including: A 2025 review looks at the effects of various medications to treat antidepressant-induced female sexual dysfunction. It suggests that sildenafil may improve orgasm sildenafil 100 mg tab results and most Female Sexual Function Index scores. However, it had limited effects on pain during sexual activity. It was also not the most effective medication included in the review. Viagra may cause blood pressure to drop.
That can be a problem if you already have low blood pressure or take medications that lower blood pressure. Most information about Viagra’s safety looks at male use, not female use, particularly in the long term. More research is necessary to see if the same side effects may occur. The product label doesn’t include dosing information for FSAD because it’s not the intended use. In studies, doses for female use may vary significantly. needs.”1 As the company continues the process to seek FDA approval of the sildenafil cream formulation, it is making the cream available in the form of a Section 503B compounded product.
Although the sildenafil cream is manufactured “in an outsourcing facility subject to FDA inspection and under current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations,” Daré Bioscience noted that compounded drugs are not FDA approved or evaluated by the agency for “safety, effectiveness, or quality.”1 DARE to PLAY is currently available for prescription for pre-order in Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Utah.
These effects may be more intense if you take birth control pills or drink alcohol. Side effects of Vyleesi include a temporary increase in blood pressure and a decrease in heart rate. It can also cause nausea and isolated spots of skin over the counter drugs containing sildenafil lightening (focal hyperpigmentation). Viagra is FDA approved to treat erectile dysfunction. It doesn’t have approval for treating female sexual dysfunction, and studies thus far have had mixed results.
There’s no “female Viagra,” but there are a couple of drugs with approval to treat sexual dysfunction associated with specific conditions. There are many reasons for low sex drive. Before taking Viagra or any other medication, talk with your doctor about the potential benefits, risks, and side effects of these medications for you. While some side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and headaches associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants tend to decrease or resolve over time, other side effects such as sexual dysfunction rarely remit spontaneously. Treatment of sexual side effects in women is especially important when about 30-70% of patients taking antidepressants may experience sexual side effects, combined with the fact that women are prescribed antidepressants at rates of 2 to 1 when compared to men.