Viagra for Women - I think not

There has been a lot of publicity for the approval of the new drug - Addyi -purported to enhance sexual desire in women. It is currently only approved in pre-menopausal women. I have addressed this before and now once again am reporting on it.

This can be an issue in certain women and we have no good way to treat it. Some have used antidepressants and even low dose testosterone without much success.

Unfortunately, and contrary to all the hype, this is not the magic answer. In the studies the FDA used to approve it there was an average increase of 0.5 to 1 satisfying sexual event per month, relative to placebo. However, women also reported increased desire and decreased distress with the drug.

And there are major side effects. If taken with alcohol it can cause major drops in blood pressure and fainting; alcohol should not be taken while on this drug. Since it is taken every day this means total abstinence! In my limited experience I find a little wine to be more effective than 1/2 to 1 increased events per month!