Move over, little blue pill, we ladies now have our own version of Viagra® – the little pink pill. For decades, we’ve been inundated (sometimes, even comically) with commercials and information about male sexual function and sexual health. While this is all well and good, very little attention was paid to the female counterpart to sexual well-being and the fact that women sometimes need a little help too. Whether it’s simply a low sex drive, experienced by roughly 33% of women, or something that manifests physically like painful intercourse, affecting a whopping 75% of women during their lifetime, female sexual dysfunction is an issue that is finally getting the attention it deserves.
So what does this little pink pill (referred to as “female viagra” and called Flibanserin) do? Because a woman’s libido relies on a complexity of factors such as emotional, environmental, and physical health, the drug is thought to be beneficial because it alters dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain. In studies, the female participants reported an increase in the number of sexually satisfying events each month, which is a promising statistic. Flibanserin was approved by the FDA in August 2015 and will be available to patients in October 2015. Dr. Brady would be happy to review whether it is a viable option for you. It is important, as with any medication to weigh the benefits against potential side effects and alternative treatments. Specifically, it is important to avoid alcoholic beverages if a patient chooses to take Flibanserin.
Which leads us to the alternative treatments… Many women aren’t aware of the various treatment options for female sexual health. For example, hormone replacement therapy such as BioTE® has been shown to significantly improve a woman’s libido. For our patients who are experiencing physical issues such as painful intercourse due to vaginal dryness, MonaLisa Touch™ therapy has been life-changing (we have a 100% satisfaction rate among our patients!). Regardless of the reasons for a woman’s lack of sexual motivation, we can help get to the root of the problem and get our patients started on the appropriate treatment. A healthy sex life is an important part of our emotional and overall wellness, and we can get you back into the groove!