Viagra for Women

Dr. Babak Ashrafi

Medically reviewed by

Dr Babak Ashrafi

Last reviewed: 23 Jun 2022

Female Viagra works for some women but not others. Clinical trials have found that Viagra can be effective for women who have physical difficulties with sex. It increases blood flow to certain parts of the body including the vulva and surrounding area. This helps you to feel more ‘turned on’ during sex.

Contents
Woman interested in female Viagra holding a camera talking to a man with a bicycle
 

Male Viagra or ‘the little blue pill’ works by increasing blood flow to the penis which helps you to maintain erections. It is a well known type of medication for erectile dysfunction (ED).

Male and female Viagra does not work on its own and you must be sexually aroused first.

What is female Viagra?

Female Viagra is a type of medication that treats female sexual dysfunction (FSD).

However, women's Viagra can mean different things to different people. Let’s go through what the most common types of medication are:

  • a female Viagra blue pill with the same active ingredient as men’s Viagra (sildenafil citrate)
  • a medication called Addyi (flibanserin), which is a tablet that is swallowed daily
  • a medication called Vyleesi (bremelanotide), which is an injection for women
  • a herbal or plant based tablet

At the moment, there is no licensed medicine for women with a low libido in the UK. There may be some potential medicines that are going through clinical trials to test that they work. Until then, you should avoid taking anything that claims to be female Viagra without seeing a doctor.

If you have concerns about low sexual desire, you might have given some thought to natural remedies. There is no medical evidence that herbal tablets are effective in treating female sexual dysfunction.

The best thing to do is talk to a doctor about what you can do to improve your sex drive. This will also give you peace of mind by ruling out any other causes for some physical symptoms. For example, if you have a medical condition, such as diabetes, this can affect your sex drive too.

What effect does female Viagra have?

There have not been enough studies on female Viagra to be sure of the effects. This is why it is not currently available as a prescribed medicine for women in the UK.

The effects of female Viagra depend on which specific medication has been taken. The most common side effects include:

  • headaches
  • hot flushes
  • stuffy nose
  • feeling dizzy or fainting
  • blurred sight
  • feeling sick (nausea)
  • blocked nose
  • low blood pressure
  • difficulty sleeping
  • dry mouth

If you have concerns about the side effects of your medication, you should always speak to a doctor. They will be able to give you advice about how to manage them or recommend an alternative treatment.

What is female sexual dysfunction (FSD)?

Female sexual dysfunction is a condition that includes:

  • a reduced sex drive or loss of libido
  • never having experienced an orgasm
  • no longer having orgasms during sex
  • pain during sex

There has been much less research into female sexual dysfunction than erectile dysfunction.

We understand that living with a low libido can be stressful in itself. It has led many women to consider taking female Viagra to improve their sex life. However, it is not a licensed medication for the safe and effective treatment of female sexual dysfunction. Therefore, you should not buy your own pills online without a prescription or guidance from a qualified health professional.

Speak to a doctor who will be able to review your symptoms. They can offer practical advice on what to do about a reduced sex drive.

Can female Viagra treat FSD?

Female Viagra may be able to treat FSD (female sexual dysfunction). However, there has not been enough medical research to confirm its effectiveness.

Currently, there is no medication licensed for use by women in the UK with a low sex drive.

If you have physical or emotional concerns about sex, there are several treatment options that can help to improve your libido. This might include sex therapy or making positive lifestyle changes through diet and exercise.

Where can I buy female Viagra?

You cannot buy female Viagra from a pharmacy. This is because it is not licensed for use by women in the UK. This means that it has not been approved by regulatory bodies as a safe and effective treatment.

It is important to avoid buying any form of women's Viagra from the internet, because you cannot be sure of what you’re taking or the possible side effects. This includes Kamagra or Kamagra Oral Jelly.

However, you can buy Viagra for men from ZAVA Online Doctor. Both male Viagra and non prescription Viagra Connect are effective treatments for erectile dysfunction. They work by increasing blood flow to the penis to help get and maintain an erection. Therefore Viagra for men is not suitable for women.

What about Flibanserin?

Flibanserin, which has the brand name Addyi, is a medication that is used to treat Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD). This occurs in premenopausal women when they have a low sex drive (or libido).

Flibanserin (Addyi) was licensed for use in the US by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) in 2015. However, it is not available here in the UK.

Similarly, Vyleesi (bremelanotide) is an injection for women with low sex drive that was approved in 2019 in the US. It’s available in the US, but not in the UK.

What can I do if I have FSD (female sexual dysfunction)?

If you feel that you have FSD (female sexual dysfunction) it is worth discussing your concerns with a doctor. They will be able to recommend treatment options that will help you enjoy a happy and healthy sex life.

Sometimes female sexual dysfunction can be more connected to how you are feeling. If you regularly experience low moods, then therapy or medication might be an option for you.

You may also find that making positive changes to your lifestyle can improve your overall wellness. As a result of this, you might have more feelings of sexual desire. This might include taking steps like:

  • avoiding stress
  • drinking alcohol less often
  • quitting smoking
  • getting more sleep

You might find the problem is related to a natural lack of oestrogen levels, so then hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be a solution. This is a treatment option for women going through menopause, post menopausal women and transgender women.

A doctor may refer you to a sex therapist if there do not seem to be any physical causes. In a private session, they will listen carefully to your concerns and help you overcome emotional issues relating to sex.

babak-updated-roundpng.png
Medically reviewed by:
Dr Babak Ashrafi Clinical Lead for Service Expansion
Accreditations: BSc, MBBS, MRCGP (2008)

Babak studied medicine at King’s College London and graduated in 2003, having also gained a bachelor’s degree in Physiology during his time there. He completed his general practice (GP) training in East London, where he worked for a number of years as a partner at a large inner-city GP practice. He completed the Royal College of GPs membership exam in 2007.

Meet our doctors

Last reviewed: 23 Jun 2022

Get £5 off your next order when you sign up to our newsletter.
Sign up today




Authorised and regulated by