Women who sometimes need a libido boost can now turn to the medical community for assistance. The “female Viagra” – aka flibanserin, manufactured by Sprout pharmaceuticals, has now been approved by the FDA.
This June, an FDA advisory panel voted 18-6 to recommend that the FDA approve the drug. As CNN , the approval applies to women with “hypoactive sexual desire disorder,” AKA a lack of sexual desire, in women before menopause. Sexual dysfunction is a controversial subject, with many people pointing out that stigma, stress and sexual violence against women are all issues that need to be addressed first. As such, female product for sexual dysfunction has lagged far behind development of male products — namely Viagra, which was approved by the FDA in 1998.
Ladies, here’s what you need to know about when you can start popping the new pills – and whether you even should:
1. Flibanserin is intended for women “whose lack of sexual desire was not attributable to other causes such as disease or relationship troubles,” says the New York Times. In other words, flibanserin obviously cannot address underlying relationship issues putting a damper on your sex life.
2. Before the drug hits shelves, the FDA is working to limit certain risks. The Times reports that doctors may have to be certified to prescribe the drug. At minimum, users should be wary of potential side effects like low blood pressure, fainting, nausea and dizziness.
3. Unlike Viagra, which is taken before sex, flibanserin will need to be taken once a day at bedtime. It will alter the brain chemicals that lead to arousal, like serotonin and dopamine (similar to antidepressants).
4. One survey – financed by the original developer of flibanserin – found that about 10 percent of American women suffer from “a lack of desire that causes distress,” according to .
READ MORE: A Meditation Guru Explains How to Have Better Sex — With Your Mind
5. Flibanserin has been rejected by advisory committees twice – once unanimously. Activists, united under a campaign called “Even the Score,” claim the FDA is biased against women who have none of men’s many routes to medical-induced sexual potency.
6. Several of the committee members voted “yes” while still concerned about the drug’s side effects, meaning whether or not the drug will hit shelves is still up in the air.
7. The stock price of Palatin Technologies, who manufactures a similar “female desire medication” that is seeking FDA approval, soared 46 percent in JUne.
8. The pill is – obviously – pink. Come on, pharmaceutical industry.
READ MORE: How to Have an Orgasm
