'Female Viagra' Available To Treat Hypoactive Sexual Disorder

Finally. There's a viagra for women, too. 

Addyi, generically known as Flibanserin, is the first drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat low libido in premenopausal women whose low sex drive does not stem from a medical or psychiatric condition.

While the drug may boost a woman's sex drive, it doesn't quite work in the same way that Viagra does. The drug is used to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder--more commonly referred to as a lack of desire.

"It doesn't treat all sexual dysfunction, it won't help all women with sexual problems, but it will have a role in the therapy," said Dr. Holly Thacker from the Cleveland Clinic, via Health Day. "Just like with any medication -- adult women in conjunction with their physician can make an informed decision about whether this is an appropriate therapy for them."

The FDA rejected Addyi twice--once in 2010 and 2013. It was booted before partially due to side effects ranging from nausea to fainting. However, the new version still includes some potentially serious side-effects. For instance, according to Business Insider, the drug can cause a significant drop in blood pressure or even fainting when consumed with alcohol. Furthermore, some medical experts are skeptical of the drugs' effectiveness. 

"Not one person in the studies that have been done has actually reported an increase in sexual desire," psychotherapist Keesha Ewers, founder and chief medical officer of the Functional Sexology Institute, said. "What has been reported is a decrease in the distress that is felt about lack of sexual desire."

The once-daily, non-hormonal pill is only available with a prescription.

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