It's been over a decade since sildenafil (Viagra®) was approved to treat men's sexual dysfunction. Yet, there's been no such pharmaceutical breakthrough for women—30 percent of whom experience some form of sexual problems in their lifetime. As a result, women are increasingly turning to Viagra to increase arousal and pleasure. But does it work? And is Viagra safe for women to use?
It's a question that desperately needs to be answered, considering that there's little hope of a female form of Viagra in the near future. Turns out that politics in both the drug approval process and in defining female sexuality may be equally to blame for the delay.
A study on the drug approval process in the U.S. and Japan revealed that Viagra was approved in less than six months by the Food and Drug Administration, while it took four years to approve the medical abortion pill. The study indicates that approval isn't guided purely by the health and safety issues, but also by politics. It showed that pharmaceutical regulations were effectively ignored or manipulated in the U.S. during the review process for medical abortion, and were applied inconsistently in Japan - ultimately yielding results that happened to conform to contemporary sociopolitical beliefs.
Also, some doctors and other professionals question whether female sexual dysfunction even exists, suggesting that it is a "manufactured disease" designed simply to push more drugs to the benefit of pharmaceutical companies.
According to Dr. Lenore Teifer, a sex therapist and feminist professor of psychology, the main contributing factors to women's sexual problems are economic, social, political, and they will be overlooked in the age of newly defined female sexual dysfunction and quick-fix remedies such as sex drugs. Other experts indicate that when women usually have sexual problems, it's often the result of problems within the relationship itself, not physical factors, so drugs will do little to help.
While pharmaceutical companies, academics and government institutions battle it out, it leaves thousands of women who believe they have sexual problems at loose ends. So, they're turning to the sex drug of choice, Viagra - but, it's no quick fix for women as it appears to be for many men.
The results of several studies on the use of Viagra by women are conflicting. It's clear that Viagra can effectively treat some sexual dysfunction in women who taking antidepressants, and may be effective for women with spinal cord injury. For other women, the results vary significantly. In some cases, it may stimulate greater sexual arousal and increase the likelihood of orgasm, in other cases the effects are so minimal that you're probably better off reading a racy romance novel while eating a bowl of oysters. This leaves many women willing to experiment with a drug that's not designed for their needs who naturally wonder if Viagra is safe for women?
Dr. Marvin M. Lipman, chief medical adviser and medical editor for Consumer Reports answers the question best: Safe is a relative term. According to Lipman, Viagra has the same side effects in women as it does in men, which includes headaches (sometimes severe), nausea, visual problems such as "blue vision," and in rare cases, hearing difficulties.
Also, Viagra should never be taken in combination with a nitrate medication, commonly used to treat heart disease. It should be used carefully if you have hypertension or heart disease. Thinking of popping one of your partner's little blue pills to see if it helps you? Bad idea, says Lipman. You should never take someone else's medication because you may have a health problem or disease that the drug could make worse.
The bottom line is, all drugs have potential side effects. If used correctly, Viagra is safe for women as much as it is for men. If you're planning on trying Viagra, it's best to get a prescription and have it filled out at a local pharmacy. Let your doctor and pharmacist know if you're taking any other medications or herbal supplements as a safety precaution.
Alternatively, you may want to get a physical exam to rule out any illness that may be causing a sexual problem, or address any relationship, economic, or social issue that may be wreaking havoc with your sex life.
Study References:
Journal: Social Science & Medicine, Vol. 62, Issue 3, pp. 683-693
Date: February 2006,
Study Name: Viagra's rise above women's health issues: An analysis of the social and political influences on drug approvals in the United States and Japan
Author: Ilyssa Hollander
