Is female Viagra really the solution to the orgasm gap?

What is an orgasm? According to the American Psychological Association, it is the moment when a person reaches the peak of pleasure. The body releases tension and is overwhelmed by a cascade of neurotransmitters and hormones that create intense feelings of satisfaction. Everyone wants to experience it, many fake it. Unfortunately, a study by the Archives of Sexual Behavior, which evaluated the sexual lives of over 52,000 American adults, found that 95% of heterosexual men usually or always reach orgasm, while the percentage among heterosexual women drops to 65%.

How important is female sexual pleasure?

The pleasure gap within cisgender couples, known as the Orgasm Gap, is yet another example of how female sexuality continues to be overlooked. Many taboos, prejudices, and a lack of information—stemming from patriarchy, sexism, religious stigma, and long-standing social opinions—devalue or obscure female pleasure. Women are often reduced to mere objects, instruments only useful for male satisfaction, and are also neglected by medicine. In recent years, there has been more open and positive discussion about masturbation, those who experience pain during sex due to vulvodynia and endometriosis, experimentation with a non-hormonal male contraceptive pill, and efforts to find solutions for low libido.

What is the pink viagra?

Is there a female equivalent of the so-called "blue pill"? Yes and no. Until 2015, women experiencing a decrease in sexual desire were directed to over-the-counter supplements with limited or virtually no effects. Then, the FDA approved Addyi, a pink pill containing flibanserin (a molecule originally used to treat depression) for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder, followed shortly by Vyleesi, an injection of bremelanotide administered to the abdomen or thigh 45 minutes before sex. Despite these treatments being called "female Viagra", they work very differently from male Viagra, which relaxes the muscles of the penis and increases blood flow to allow an erection. Addyi and Vyleesi, on the other hand, increase the release of neurotransmitter hormones dopamine and norepinephrine, which are essential for the sensation of arousal. In short, they are designed to increase sexual desire in women but do not affect physical performance.

Does female viagra work?

Is it worth taking one of these drugs? According to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine in 2016, no. There are few benefits for desire: on average, it results in half a satisfying sexual encounter more per month. However, there are many side effects, including dizziness, difficulty falling or staying asleep, nausea, fatigue, lowered blood pressure, and fainting or loss of consciousness. So, what should we do if we experience a decrease in desire (which is completely normal and variable over the years, often linked to relationship changes, stress, and physical changes like pregnancy and menopause)? The best course of action is to consult a sexologist or a psychotherapist to start a therapeutic journey where we will be provided with methods, techniques, and strategies to improve our sexual well-being.