The female Viagra drug has been a hotly debated topic for years, with many women claiming it is an essential treatment to improve their libido while others argue that its effectiveness remains unproven. However, recent studies have shown that flibanserin, the active ingredient in this medication, does indeed work by altering serotonin levels in the brain rather than increasing blood flow to the genitals as previously thought. This discovery could lead to improved understanding of female sexual dysfunction and potentially new treatments for women who struggle with low desire. In this article, we will explore how flibanserin works in the body and why it may be more effective at treating some types of sexual dysfunction compared to others.
Flibanserin was originally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2015 under the brand name Addyi, but it had controversial results and side effects. Studies showed that the drug did increase sexual desire in women but also caused fatigue, nausea, and sleepiness. The FDA later required the manufacturer to include these risks in the warning label and limit its use to premenopausal women who do not drink alcohol or take certain drugs. Despite these limitations, some women found relief from their sexual problems through flibanserin, which can now be taken daily as a pill. It is believed to work by affecting the neurotransmitter serotonin, which plays a role in mood regulation and sexual arousal.
Serotonin is a hormone that regulates mood, appetite, sleep, and social behavior. When it is released into the brain, it binds to receptors on neurons and triggers chemical changes that affect everything from emotions to digestion. Researchers have found that some people with depression and anxiety disorders tend to have lower levels of serotonin than normal, leading them to feel sad, anxious, and unmotivated. Similarly, low serotonin levels can impact sexual response by reducing desire and pleasure. Flibanserin works by increasing serotonin levels in certain parts of the brain associated with sexual arousal, including the hypothalamus and amygdala. This may help improve libido for women who struggle with low desire due to low levels of this hormone.
While flibanserin has shown promise as a treatment for female sexual dysfunction, researchers are still working to understand how well it actually works compared to other treatments. Some studies suggest that it may only provide minimal benefit over placebo, while others find that it has no significant effect at all. Additionally, it does not seem to address underlying causes of low desire such as stress or relationship issues. However, it could offer relief for women who cannot tolerate other medications or prefer an easy-to-take pill option. As more studies are conducted, we will likely see better understanding of why flibanserin works and how it can be improved upon to create even more effective treatments for female sexual dysfunction.