No Go For the "Female Viagra"

   By drodriguez  Jun 19, 2010
12

Ever since viagra hit the market and became a big success for treating men suffering from sexual dysfunction, the pharmaceutical companies have been scrambling to find the female equivalent of the drug.  Recent reports about a new drug, flibenserin, led many to believe that this would be the next big drug -- the answer for women who feel a lack of sexual desire, until the Food and Drug Administration refused to apprive it. 

A recent report from ABC News discusses why critics of flibenserin, being dubbed the "female viagra", feel the drug should not be on the market.  The German pharmaceutical company, Boehringer Ingelheim, first took interest in the drug when it was being tested as an antidepressant and some women trying the drug felt like it increased their libido.  The drug works on serotonin levels in the brain whereas viagra works to fix a blood flow problem. 

Since then, however, it seems further testing was not good enough to prove to the FDA that flibenserin helped increase a woman’s sexual desire.  The FDA voted that flibenserin was not significantly better than the placebo pill given in studies. 

Critics also argue that the pharmaceutical company is creating a disease they call hypoactive sexual desire disorder, in order to market a pill to women that just doesn’t work.  And the marketing of the drug had been set in motion long before it went before the FDA.  A former Playboy model had already begun doing work for the company as a spokesperson for the drug and the pharmaceutical company even persuaded the Discovery Channel to run a documentary about female sexual dysfunction.

But many argue that there is no such thing as hypoactive sexual desire disorder.  Liz Canner, a documentary film maker who has done extensive research on the subject, does not believe the disorder is real.  Canner says, "Most women are healthy, and it’s not so much that their testosterone levels or serotonin levels or genital engorgement is a problem, it really is that a lot of women are in poor relationships and stressed out due to overwork."

Do you think "hypoactive sexual desire disorder" is a real disease that women suffer?

Do you think a drug like flibenserin can work for some women?

 

 

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eldapc11 by eldapc11 | SANTA ANA, CA
Nov 08, 2010

My brother is a pharmacy tech and knows a lot about the pharmaceutical companies, and they do come up with diseases so they can make pills to "cure" us. What is even more disappointing is that doctors receive certain perks and incentives from the pharmaceutical companies so the doctors are inclined to prescribe these drugs to patients.

misspassion89 by misspassion89 | Corunna, MI
Sep 10, 2010

Some women do not have high sexual drives, but that could be related to things like depression, age, etc. I think before trying any women "sex" drug you see a doctor for a full exam. Maybe even an anti-depressant could heighten your sex drive. A while back I bought women extenze because I wanted to know what it would do. First off you have to take it for a while before you will feel any changes according to my sample pack of 4 that wasn't going to do the trick. Plus, the side effects are unbelievable: Facial hair, for example is one of them. I do not plan on purchasing women extenze again any time soon.

Purplemommi by Purplemommi | MECHANICSVLLE, VA
Jul 27, 2010

I definitely believe that pharmeceutical companies are making it up. They do that a lot. It's all about money nowadays, not helping people. I also believe the drug will work on some women, but only as a placebo, which is exactly what the greedy pharmeceutical companies are aiming for!

Kbechert by Kbechert | Franklin, IN
Jul 26, 2010

I think the FDA should keep working for an approval. This could help some women who are in healthy relationships but don't feel physical desire. I think it is important for women to look at the reason for their lack of sexual desire. There are some women who want the drug because they have issues in their relationships and think that more sex will help. I have been though some moments in my marriage where there aaa a lot of pressure for sex and it wasn't healthy. We went to counseling to work through it. I think it could be a good thing if prescribed correctly.

sgccgrammie by sgccgrammie | Sheffield, AL
Jul 14, 2010

I am a woman that is 50 years old, I love my husband very much and he is my best friend. I am disabled due to fibromyalgia and I also have lung scarodosis. I have no libido and if I could take a pill to help me I would take it. No one knows what they would do until they are in someone's elses shoes. I wish I could change it but I have tried and nothing helps. I hope the FDA will approve it so the ladies that have this can have a little help if they want it.

itsmissjess by itsmissjess | MADISON, WI
Jun 29, 2010

It's easy to want a "quick fix"/ pill to solve our problems such as Libido, but I think its more important to fix the real issues at hand not just treat the symptoms. I have found that prescription drugs can be helpful in the short term, but they can also loose effectiveness....then what? Its just a bandaid sometimes. However, I do hope they keep trying for FDA approval .

MyEmptyCanvas by MyEmptyCanvas | KOSCIUSKO, MS
Jun 26, 2010

I can't say that it isn't a real disease but if it indeed is, then I hope there's something out there that can help those that suffer from it.

nvanlaanen by nvanlaanen | Minneapolis, MN
Jun 23, 2010

More and more of the other chemicals/ drugs we take are effecting our libidos. Like birthcontrol, it lowers your desire in most cases. And a lower desire for what ever reason can change and damage a relationship. If a woman feels she has a low desire and wants to change that by taking a pill ... I say more power to her!!!! Viagria is even covered by Insurance, why is that? It's not a matter of health if you have poor blood flow to "that area" but a matter of want for sexual satisfaction. Everyone is entitled to it no matter how, so i say keep trying for FDA approval

mardel by mardel | SCHAUMBURG, IL
Jun 22, 2010

I agree with the ladies with the previous comments! There does seem that a pill has been created for everything but I would love to see a pill approved by the FDA for women who really do suffer from this condition.

basilandcatnip by basilandcatnip | GARLAND, TX
Jun 21, 2010

I think it's a case per case bases and something to be discussed with their drs. ...but someone said the sexiest thing is, a man doing the dishes or tucking the kids in.

nitelite by nitelite | Madison, CT
Jun 20, 2010

If women were wooed more, there would be no lack of sexual desire.

msfriendly by msfriendly | MONROE, WI
Jun 20, 2010

Today it seems like there's a pill for everything! We have to be mindful of the terrible side-effects of most medicines.