Viagra is approved to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. But you may have questions about whether Viagra can be used in women. Or you may be wondering if there’s a drug similar to Viagra that can help women with sexual dysfunction.
Can women take Viagra?
No, Viagra isn’t approved for use in women. And there isn’t enough evidence to show that Viagra works for treating sexual problems in women.
One review of studies showed that current research has conflicting results on how Viagra affects women.
For example, in women with female sexual arousal disorder, the review showed the following findings:
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- In one study, some women who’d gone through menopause were given Viagra. These women had improved arousal, vaginal lubrication, and orgasm when they took the drug.
- In another study, both women who’d gone through menopause and those who hadn’t were given Viagra. These women reported no significant positive effects from taking the drug.
In men, Viagra improves blood flow to their penis by blocking the action of a chemical called PDE5. This chemical is also found in the vagina and the clitoris of women. So in theory, if a woman takes Viagra, it could increase blood flow to her genitals.
But in reality, there’s less PDE5 in a female’s genitals than there is in a male’s penis. This could explain why Viagra has less of a physical effect in women than it does in men.
And keep in mind that sexual problems in women often have a lot to do with reduced sexual desire and arousal. Viagra is unlikely to address these issues.
