Sildenafil for women patients with antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): This may help improve vaginal dryness and restore sexual comfort (thus, boosting libido) for women going through menopause. Testosterone therapy: This can be prescribed to treat low libido in women entering menopause and in the years that follow.

• Sildenafil is primarily approved for erectile dysfunction in men.
• Some studies explore its potential to treat female arousal disorder.
• Its use for women remains off-label in many regions.
• Long-term safety data for women is limited.

Sometimes, sexual dysfunction isn’t about biology — it’s about everything else going on in your life that puts sex on the back burner.

3. Downsides

Sildenafil-treated women and placebo-treated women had an increase in their percentage of sexual activities throughout the course of the study, with no statistically significant difference between groups in the percentage of successful sexual activities at end of treatment versus baseline. There were also no statistically significant differences between sildenafil- and placebo-treated women on the aforementioned measures. The most common adverse events included headache and vasodilatation. The results of this study are similar to other reports regarding a lack of clinically meaningful benefit of sildenafil in other populations of women. This study was sponsored by Pfizer Inc.

Inclusion Criteria

Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com Targeting recovery: priorities of the spinal cord-injured population. Targeting recovery: priorities of the spinal cord-injured population. Sexual activities, response and satisfaction in women pre- and post-spinal cord injury. Sexual activities, desire, and satisfaction in males pre- and post-spinal cord injury. Arch Sex Behav 1993; 22: 217–228.

Addyi (filbanserin)

Sexual arousal and orgasm in women: effects of spinal cord injury. The effects of spinal cord injury on psychogenic sexual arousal in males. Sexual responsiveness in women with spinal cord injuries: differential effects of anxiety-eliciting stimulation. Arch Sex Behav 2004; 33: 295–302. Effects of level and degree of spinal cord injury on male orgasm. “Sexual health in women is about more than just blood flow,” Dr.

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Zanotti says. “It’s about your mental health, your relationship, how comfortable you feel in your body and so much more.” Here are a few strategies that may help: If sex is painful, pelvic floor physical therapy may help.

Similar questions

Zanotti clears up what Viagra does, and doesn’t do, for women, and what options are available for you. Technically, yes, women can take Viagra (also known by the generic name sildenafil). But the U.S. Food sildenafil 20 mg prescription and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved it for use by women. “Viagra is approved for treating erectile dysfunction, nothing more,” Dr.

Sexual Function after Spinal Cord Injury: Innervation, Assessment, and Treatment

Zanotti clarifies. “It hasn’t proven to be the answer for sexual dysfunction outside of that.” Viagra works by increasing blood flow to the genitals. For men with erectile dysfunction, that’s a game-changer. In women, Viagra may increase blood flow to the vulva and vaginal tissues, which could enhance your pleasure by heightening your sensitivity and promoting lubrication. Some women taking Viagra may find that having sex is more pleasurable.

Professional resources

(And who can argue with that as a perk?) But that’s not true for everyone. Some women taking Viagra may experience side effects like: If you have low blood pressure or you’re taking blood pressure medication, Viagra can cause a further drop that may lead to dizziness and even fainting. And mixing Viagra and alcohol is a big no-no because it can worsen the side effects, Dr. Zanotti warns. While Viagra might work on the physical side of things, other FDA-approved treatments can help women with other issues, like sexual desire. As you get older, vaginal tissue becomes drier and less elastic.

Region	Cost Range per Dose	Availability	Notes
North America	$10-$25	Prescription only	Off-label use limited
Europe	€8-€20	Prescription, some OTC in countries	Varies widely
Asia	$5-$15	Often available OTC or via clinics	Cost-effective options
Australia	$15-$30	Prescription only	Under medical supervision

Using lubricants or vaginal moisturizers, particularly after menopause, can help can make sex more pleasurable.

Other approaches

It affects brain chemicals tied to libido. Like Viagra, it can lower blood pressure and shouldn’t be taken with alcohol. Vyleesi® (bremelanotide): A self-injection that you use before sex. It’s approved only for premenopausal women whose low libido isn’t caused by another health condition. Wellbutrin® (bupropion): An antidepressant that may help improve libido, especially if your low sex drive is related to depression or SSRI use. Prioritize exercise, manage stress and sleep — they can all affect your sex drive more than you might think. Talk with a therapist, especially one who specializes in sexual health or trauma, if your low sex drive is related to things like mental health concerns, past sexual trauma or negative body image.

• Discussions with healthcare providers are crucial before considering sildenafil.
• Female sexual dysfunction may have hormonal, psychological, or physical causes.
• Sildenafil should never be used with other medications without medical approval.
• Its use in women should be part of a broader treatment plan.

Have an open conversation with your healthcare provider. They can help you identify the cause and explore personalized solutions.

• The use of sildenafil in women is still under scientific investigation.
• Some women report benefits, but evidence is not definitive.
• Potential risks must be carefully weighed against benefits.
• Proper medical guidance is essential for safe use.

Viagra might sound like a quick fix, but it rarely is.

Side Effect	Severity	Frequency	Management
Headache	Mild to Moderate	Common	Analgesics, hydration
Flushing	Mild	Common	Cooling measures
Dizziness	Mild	Occasional	Sit/lie down, avoid sudden standing
Nasal Congestion	Mild	Common	Decongestants if needed
Vision Changes	Rare	Rare	Stop medication if occurs

Because the research hasn’t proven that it’s beneficial for women, most healthcare providers consider it a last resort — not a first-line treatment. While it may improve physical arousal for some, Viagra doesn’t directly impact desire.

1. How it works

“Viagra might help some women with the physical mechanics of sex, but it’s not going to help with other things that keep you from being ‘in the mood,’” Dr. Zanotti points out. No pill is going to make sure the laundry is done, the kids are asleep, or that you’re feeling confident in yourself and your relationship. But Dr. Zanotti notes a few medications that may help increase your interest in sex: Addyi® (flibanserin): A daily pill for premenopausal women with low sexual desire. If you’re struggling with low libido, you’re not alone, and real help is available.

Further information

Giuliano F, Hultling C, El Masry WS, Smith MD, Osterloh IH, Orr M et al. Randomized trial of sildenafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in spinal cord injury. Maytom MC, Derry FA, Dinsmore WW, Glass CA, Smith MD, Orr M et al. A two-part pilot study of sildenafil (VIAGRA) in men with erectile dysfunction caused by spinal cord injury. Hultling C, Giuliano F, Quirk F, Peña B, Mishra A, Smith MD .

Other Literature Sources

Quality of life in patients with spinal cord injury receiving Viagra (sildenafil citrate) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil effects on sexual and cardiovascular responses in women with spinal cord injury. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR 4th edn (Text Revision). Development of a sexual function questionnaire for clinical trials of female sexual dysfunction. J Womens Health Gend Based Med 2002; 11: 277–289.

Patient resources

The use of the sexual function questionnaire as a screening tool for women with sexual dysfunction. Development of a questionnaire on sexual quality of life in women. Safety and efficacy of sildenafil citrate for the treatment of female sexual arousal disorder: a double-blind, placebo controlled study. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors and female sexual response: faulty protocols or paradigms? This study was sponsored by Pfizer Inc. Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin care and more.

6. Response and effectiveness

Editorial support was provided by Anne Johnson, Janet E Matsuura, PhD, and Deborah M Campoli-Richards, BSPharm, RPh, of Complete Healthcare Communications, Inc., and was funded by Pfizer Inc. Marca Sipski Alexander reports no commercial interests with the study sponsor. Raymond Rosen reports no current commercial interests with the study sponsor. At the time of this research, Dr Rosen served as a consultant and research advisor for Pfizer Inc. Claes Hultling reports no commercial interests with the study sponsor.

Women's orgasm

Tara Symonds and Scott Haughie are employees of Pfizer. Susanne Steinberg was an employee of Pfizer when the study was conducted. Sildenafil in women with sexual arousal disorder following spinal cord injury. Sexual Health in the Neurogenic Patient Current Bladder Dysfunction Reports (2020) Knowledge Gaps in Urologic Care of Female Spinal Cord Injury Patients Current Urology Reports (2019) Sexual Function after Spinal Cord Injury: Innervation, Assessment, and Treatment Current Sexual Health Reports (2016) The little blue pill might help with physical arousal, but there are better treatments for low libido in women Image content: This image is available to view online. Woman researching viagra on her cell phone Concerns about sex drive and sexual performance are extremely common in women.

Key Findings

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Ob/Gyn Salena Zanotti, MD, sees it all the time in her practice: “It’s probably one of the top questions I get asked, and it’s common in adults of all ages.” We know that Viagra® can help men perform between the sheets. Dr. The steroid medication may raise your blood pressure and cause heart palpitations Lower your risk by sticking to the right dose and avoiding long-term use without medical guidance Authorized take-back programs, services and drop-off locations are the best, safest way to get rid of expired medicine These illegal supplements have negative impacts for vital organs and may cause psychosis, heart attacks and more Popular among teens, these inhalants give you a quick high, with serious harmful effects ‘Black box warnings’ on medications outline potential risks and important instructions These similar versions of brand-name drugs are safe, effective and often less expensive Though these painkillers work in different ways, they can both help reduce a fever and pain These tiny saltwater larvae can get trapped under your swimsuit and trigger an itchy reaction called seabather’s eruption Searching nature for edible items requires training and knowledge to avoid poisonous plants Yes, but you can protect yourself with hats, scarves or even hair sunblock Aging WellAllergiesCancer Care & PreventionChronic PainCold, Flu & Respiratory IllnessesDiabetes & EndocrinologyDigestiveEar, Nose & ThroatEye CareInfectious DiseaseLungOral HealthParentingPregnancy & ChildbirthRecipesRheumatology & ImmunologySenior HealthSex & RelationshipsSleepUrinary & Kidney HealthWeight Loss Rendered: Mon May 25 2026 22:05:31 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

• Future studies may clarify sildenafil’s effectiveness for women.
• Regulatory approval for women may be granted if proven safe.
• Personalized medicine approaches could enhance treatment outcomes.
• In the meantime, women should seek professional advice before use.