What Happens When a Female Takes Viagra?
Viagra is widely popular for its effectiveness in treating Erectile Dysfunction. The discovery of the drug in the 90s marked a shift in the acceptance and recognition of ED and other male sexual disorders. However, female sexual disorders were only recently studied.
This gap led to women adopting medicines such as Viagra, which was primarily made for men. In this blog, we will explore the answer to 'What happens if a female takes Viagra?'.
What is Viagra?
Viagra is one of the most popular ED medicines. Pfizer started developing this drug as a heart medicine. However, various clinical trials proved its effectiveness in treating Erectile Dysfunction in males. Below are some of the key facts of Viagra:
FDA-Approval: 1998
Active Ingredient: Sildenafil Citrate
Treats: Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Onset of Action: 30-120 minutes
Manufacturer: Pfizer
Drug Class: PDE-5 inhibitor
Availability: Oral tablet
The tablet works by promoting blood flow to the penile region. This relaxes the smooth muscles and helps men get an erection long enough for sexual intercourse.
Can a Female Take Viagra?
The simple answer to this question is, no. According to the Food and Drugs Administration of the USA, Viagra is not meant for female consumption. Female sexual disorders are very different from their male counterparts because of their psychological aspects. Commonly known as Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD), it includes conditions such as a dry vagina, difficulty reaching orgasm, pain during sex, and personal distress among others.
Since Viagra was designed solely for men, female consumption is not safe. It may cause severe adverse effects. Clinical trials regarding the effectiveness of Viagra in women have yielded no results. However, doctors may prescribe it off-label to treat some sexual performance issues.
What Happens When a Female Takes Viagra?
There is no definitive answer to what happens if a female takes Viagra. There is a lack of evidence-driven research on Viagra's effectiveness in women. Clinical trials gave mixed results and different women reported different results.
A study was conducted in 2008 to find Viagra's effectiveness in women taking SRIs (Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). Pfizer, themselves funded the research. It showed that women who took Viagra experienced a boost compared to women with a placebo.
Another 2014 study revealed that Viagra may or may not address or 'solve' female sexual disorder (FSD). The trial randomized 202 post-menopausal women and administered 12 weeks of Viagra. It showed that the drug only improves physical arousal. It does not address the complexity of FSD or FSAD.
On the other hand, a 2002 trial shows that there is no significant difference between pre and postmenopausal women who took Viagra when compared to placebo.
Answering ‘What does Viagra do to a female?’ is tough. It may increase blood flow, or may not do anything at all.
Plausible Benefits of Viagra in Women
Viagra works by stimulating blood flow and relaxing smooth muscles. Therefore, it may help women suffering from vaginal dryness. Moreover, it may also help in the arousal stage of sexual response. The arousal stage is characterized by the swelling of vaginal walls and sensitive clitoris.
Side Effects of Viagra in Female
Viagra's side effects for females can be diverse. The drug is known to cause various common and serious side effects. You should always be aware of them and consult a doctor immediately if they worsen.
Common Side Effects
In the clinical trials, women who were administered Viagra faced mild side effects. This was similar to their male counterparts. Common effects of what happens when a female takes Viagra are:
Headaches
Indigestion
Stuffy nose
Dizziness
Nausea
Hot flushes
Rash
Diarrhea
Muscle, back or arm pain
Nosebleeds
Light sensitivity
Serious Side Effects
Women who were administered Viagra reported some serious side effects as well. They are:
Severe Allergic Reactions: If you are allergic to Sildenafil Citrate, you may face the following symptoms.
Nausea
Vomiting
Dizziness
Joint pain
Stomach cramp
Fever
Breathing problems
Wheezing
Itching
Hives
Racing heart
Tightness in throat
Swollen lymph nodes
Vision Changes: You can experience a slight blue tint, abnormal colours, and blurry vision if you consume Viagra. However, if you face sudden vision loss in one or both eyes, then immediately consult a doctor.
Hypotension: Look out for the following symptoms of low blood pressure. Viagra may cause a drop in blood pressure, which can lead to:
Confusion
Fainting
Weakness or tiredness
Lightheadedness
Hearing Loss: If you hear a persisting ringing in the ears or experience hearing loss in one or both ears, consult a doctor immediately. Stop taking Viagra immediately.
Nosebleed: If you experience constant nosebleeds, then seek immediate medical help.
There may be other side effects as well that are not listed here. Due to a lack of research, other potential side effects in women using Viagra are not known.
How Much Viagra Should I Take?
The regular dose for Viagra is 50mg for ED. However, for women, dosage information is unavailable. The medicine is used as needed and does not require regular dosing. Always consult a doctor before consuming Viagra. The drug is available in various strengths ranging from 25mg to 200mg.
If prescribed off-label for women, ensure you ask about the appropriate dosage from your doctor. Careless use of Viagra may lead to unwanted health concerns.
What is Female Viagra?
Medicines for female sexual disorders or FSD are often dubbed as female Viagra. This leads to misinformation as people tend to believe Viagra and these medicines are the same. However, they distinctly differ in their mechanism of working as well as active ingredients.
Vyleesi and Addyi are FDA-approved to treat low sex drive and arousal problems in women.
Vyleesi
Vyleesi contains Bremelanotide, a Melanocortin Receptor Antagonist. It works by increasing dopamine levels in your body. Dopamine or DA is essential for sexual arousal. Cossette Pharmaceuticals manufactures the drug and is the first as-needed medicine for FSD. Basic information about Vyleesi is given below:
Manufactured By: Cossette Pharmaceuticals
Active Ingredients: Bremelanotide
Available As: Injection
FDA Approval: June, 2019
Generic Name: Bremelanotide
Generic Availability: Not available
Strength: 1.75 mg
How to Take: Self-Injection
When to Take: 45 minutes before sexual intercourse
Addyi
Addyi, manufactured by Sprout Pharmaceuticals, is the first drug to treat female Sexual Disorder (FSD). It is a Serotonin receptor 1A agonist/serotonin receptor 2A antagonist. It works as a serotonin receptor 1A agonist and serotonin receptor 2A antagonist, targeting neurotransmitters involved in sexual desire.
By modulating serotonin levels, which are linked to reduced libido, Addyi helps restore balance. Simultaneously, it boosts dopamine and norepinephrine, two key chemicals that enhance arousal and sexual response in women.
Manufactured By: Sprout Pharmaceuticals
Active Ingredients: Flibanserin
Available As: Oral pill
FDA Approval: August 2015
Generic Name: Flibanserin
Generic Availability: Not available
Strength: 100mg
How to Take: Swallow with a glass of water
When to Take: At bedtime
Conclusion
The answer to what happens if a female takes Viagra is straightforward. Viagra is designed for male use and should be avoided by women. Instead, go for FDA-approved medicines such as Vyleesi and Addyi. These are far more suited to provide desirable results for FSD and HSDD.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does Viagra do to females?
Viagra does not work for women suffering from FSD. The FDA does not approve Viagra use in women stating lack of trials and safety concerns.
What happens when a woman takes Cialis?
Cialis contains Tadalafil, another PDE-5 inhibitor. Women using Cialis may experience side effects such as headache, low blood pressure, dizziness, and upset stomach.
What does Viagra contain?
Viagra contains an active ingredient called Sildenafil Citrate. It treats Erectile Dysfunction and is a PDE-5 inhibitor.
Is Sildenafil approved for use in females?
No, the FDA has not approved Sildenafil (Viagra) for use in women.
Will women face low blood pressure if they take Viagra?
Low blood pressure or hypotension is a common side effect of Viagra. Therefore, there is a high chance that women may also face them.
Are there any clinical trials on the effects of Viagra on women?
Yes, clinical trials are studying the effectiveness of Viagra on women. Unfortunately, most of them yielded mixed results.
Can Viagra help with orgasms?
No, Viagra does not help you achieve orgasm. It only addresses Erectile Dysfunction, which is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection.
What side effects can I face if I take Viagra as a woman?
The common side effects faced by women are headaches, muscle pain, dizziness, nausea, flushing, and diarrhoea.
Is there anything called female Viagra?
Female sexual disorder medicines such as Vyleesi and Addyi are often termed as 'female Viagra'. Since Viagra is considered the first medicine to address sexual health, other counterparts have been dubbed this name as well.
What medicines should women take for sexual dysfunction?
Before taking any medicine, consult a doctor. Based on your condition and medical history, a healthcare provider will prescribe the required medicine for you. Popular medicines for female sexual dysfunction are Addyi and Vyleesi.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only. It does not replace a doctor’s prescription. Before consuming Viagra, consult a healthcare professional.
Reference:
https://www.healthline.com/health/i-am-a-woman-and-i-took-viagra#dosage
https://www.webmd.com/women/features/guide-to-female-viagra
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1046/j.1467-9566.2003.00366.x
https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1097/01.ju.0000090966.74607.34
