Viagra for Women (Addyi Treatment) Q&A

Female Viagra, which is known medically as flibanserin and commercially as Addyi, is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat women who deal with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), also known as female sexual interest/arousal disorder, in premenopausal women. HSDD can occur due to any of the following reasons or medical conditions:

• Anxiety or depression
• Arthritis
• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Diabetes
• Decreased estrogen levels
• Exhaustion or fatigue
• Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and post-pregnancy
• Low self-esteem
• Past experience(s) of sexual abuse
• Taking certain medications, such as antidepressants
• Trust issues with a sexual partner

Addyi comes in pill form and is taken by mouth once every evening. This medication was initially developed as an antidepressant but was incidentally found to improve sexual desire.

Aging is Inevitable. It is theorized to be the result of multiple factors:

In addition to Addyi, another medication marketed as “female Viagra” is bremelanotide (Vyleesi). Vyleesi is also an FDA-approved prescription medication used to treat HSDD in premenopausal women.

However, Vyleesi differs from Addyi in that it is taken through self-administered subcutaneous injections under the abdomen or thigh with single-use auto-injector pens. Moreover, Vyleesi injections are typically taken as needed before sexual activity, according to your doctor’s directions.

Both medications are effective at improving symptoms of HSDD. In general, your doctor will recommend one or the other depending on other medications you are taking, pre-existing medical conditions, as well as your preference.

Addyi is known as a mixed or multifunctional serotonin agonist and antagonist (MSAA). As an MSAA, it enhances the release of dopamine—sometimes dubbed the “feel good” hormone—while reducing serotonin release, which is known to inhibit sexual desire. Basically, Addyi enhances the activity of those chemical messengers in your brain that initiate sexual desire and arousal while reducing the activity of those that “ruin the mood,” so to speak.

In comparison, Vyleesi is a melanocortin receptor agonist, which means that it mimics and enhances the activity of specific melanocortin receptors in your brain. While there are five different melanocortin receptors, the MC4 melanocortin receptor regulates food intake and sexual function. With that in mind, Vyleesi helps with HSDD by boosting the activity of certain hormones (melanocortin agents) in your brain that are potent instigators of sexual arousal.

While Addyi and Vyleesi are often branded as the female Viagra, they function markedly differently from the actual Viagra, known medically as sildenafil. Whereas Addyi and Vyleesi boost the activity of certain chemical messengers in your brain, Viagra works by increasing blood flow to the genitals, particularly the penis, to induce an erection by stimulating an enzyme that relaxes the penile arteries and muscles.

There have been studies to examine the effects of Viagra on women, but research and evidence in this area are limited and mostly anecdotal. As such, you should consult your doctor about Viagra if you have questions about its effects on women.

We are proud to offer Addyi treatment at North Tex MedCare and Urgent Care! For more information about Addyi’s treatment or an appointment with us at North Tex MedCare Clinic, please feel free to call us, schedule an appointment through our website. We serve patients from Allen TX, Fort Worth TX, San Antonio TX, Addison TX, Plano TX, Frisco TX, Terrell Hills TX, Carrollton TX, Richardson TX, China Grove TX, Farmers Branch TX, Hebron TX, Forest Hill TX, Leon Valley TX, Fairview TX, Parker TX, Lucas TX and BEYOND.