Cautionary note: stimulants in the bedroom

It’s a condition known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). There are a few over-the-counter supplements that aim to treat the problem, which have limited, mostly unproven, effects. But in recent years, the FDA has approved two prescription drugs to treat HSDD. These treatments are often referred to as “female Viagra” -- a nod to one of the medicines that men can take for sexual problems. But they’re not much like Viagra at all. In fact, they work very differently inside the body. “In men, Viagra fixes a ‘plumbing problem,’ if you will,” says Judith Volkar, MD, of the UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh.

• Flibanserin works by affecting serotonin receptors to increase sexual desire in women.
• Topical libido enhancers are available but less common and should be used with caution.
• Over-the-counter supplements lack regulation and may not be effective or safe.
• Supplements containing yohimbine or arginine are claimed to support sexual activity.

Viagra and other similar drugs treat erectile dysfunction, when a man can’t get or keep an erection that’s firm enough to have sex.

• Male and female libido pills differ; women’s products typically focus on hormonal and nerve health.
• Overuse of libido pills can lead to psychological dependence or expectations.
• Women experiencing persistent low libido should seek medical evaluation.
• Lifestyle factors, partner intimacy, and mental health are key components of desire.

These men often still have sexual desire, but they just can’t get their bodies to respond physically when they want to have sex.

Performance-focused medication

Past research shows that between 40-55% of women advancing through menopause experience low sexual desire, and about 9% of postmenopausal women have HSDD. With the expanded approval to postmenopausal women under 65, Medical News Today spoke with three women’s health experts to find out more about how Addyi works, its side effects, what does this approval mean for menopausal women, and any non-medication alternatives they suggest for low libido. Addyi is a prescription medication manufactured by Sprout Pharmaceuticals. “Addyi is a non hormonal medication that works on neurotransmitters in the brain to help regulate mood and increase sex drive,” Susan Marie Pacana, MD, minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon and OB/GYN at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in New Jersey, told MNT. “Addyi is a medication for women that, according to the manufacturer, increases sexual desire,” Prudence Hall, MD, an OB/GYN in private practice in Santa Monica, CA, and author of Radiant Again & Forever: Overcome Menopause & Restore Your Radiance, added.

Types of medication for low libido

“After taking it for a month, dopamine and serotonin levels are apparently enhanced, which supposedly increases sexual desire.” With the expanded approval for postmenopausal women under the age of 65, G. Thomas Ruiz, MD, a board certified OB/GYN at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, told MNT that Addyi could now help a greater number of women. “The group of women where I get the biggest complaints of decreased libido is in the 50 to 60 year old age bracket, so potentially this could be a very important medication for them,” Ruiz added. Pacana, who is also a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, commented that the lack of medications for low libido has been a long-standing issue, but the new FDA approval for this treatment up to age 65 is a major step forward. “Women of all ages present to our office with complaints of low sex drive that affect their relationships, self-esteem, and body image,” she explained.

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“It often is accompanied by feelings of shame, frustration and guilt when women are unable to meet their partner’s sexual expectations.” “Previously, I could prescribe it off-label for postmenopausal women, but they were unfairly denied insurance coverage. Now, with this official approval, we can finally expect insurers to cover this necessary treatment for a wider population of women.” Like all medications, Addyi has known potential side effects, including: However, Addyi also carries a “black box” warning from the FDA as when taken with alcohol or certain medications, Addyi can cause low blood pressure (severe hypotension) or a risk of fainting (syncope). Ruiz said it would be very helpful for the drug company to issue a simple handout of all the “do’s and don’ts” associated with Addyi. “They’ve got to make it as least confusing for patients to use as possible, so a simple do’s and don’ts information sheet would be useful,” he detailed. “And that would be useful for providers.” For women who may not want to take medication, what other things can they do to help with a low libido? The drugs help by relaxing the muscles in the penis and boosting blood flow so an erection can happen.

Product	Dosage	Quantity + Bonus	Price
Viagra Generic	100mg	20 Pills	45.58€ 43.41€	Buy
Cialis Original	20mg	34 + 2 Pills	183.99€ 175.23€	Buy
Levitra Original	20mg	64 + 4 Pills	298.45€ 284.24€	Buy
Kamagra Oral Jelly	100mg	220 + 18 Sachets	662.24€ 630.70€	Buy
Levitra Generic	60mg	60 + 4 Pills	198.85€ 189.38€	Buy
Viagra Original	100mg	48 + 4 Pills	207.15€ 197.29€	Buy
Viagra Super Active	100mg	60 + 8 Pills	116.84€ 111.28€	Buy
Kamagra Soft Tabs	100 mg	20 Pills	79.79€ 75.99€	Buy
Kamagra	100mg	180 + 6 Pills	436.79€ 415.99€	Buy
Levitra Generic	10mg	90 + 8 Pills	150.58€ 143.41€	Buy
Cialis Soft Tabs	20mg	10 Pills	39.03€ 37.17€	Buy
Super Kamagra	160 mg	32 + 4 Pills	218.25€ 207.86€	Buy
Viagra Oral Jelly	100mg	63 + 7 Sachets	190.54€ 181.47€	Buy
Levitra Generic	20mg	10 Pills	31.49€ 29.99€	Buy

“I often say you can picture men's sexual desire as a light switch, and women's sexual desire as the cockpit of a 747,” she says.

Aspect	OTC Supplements	Prescription Medications
Availability	Widely available online & stores	Only via doctor’s prescription
Regulation	Less regulated	Strictly regulated
Main Active Components	Herbal extracts, amino acids	Hormonal treatments, innovative drugs
Effectiveness	Varies, generally milder	Usually more potent
Side Effects	Fewer serious effects	Potential for serious adverse reactions

“There are more factors at play in female sexual desire.” As a result, the treatment for HSDD requires a more nuanced approach. The drugs the FDA has approved for HSDD are: Flibanserin (Addyi): It’s a pill you take every evening.

Women wanting simplicity & deeper desire

Foreplay may take all day — it’s not a crazy thing to think about. And of course a good relationship with your partner — if you don’t have a good relationship with your partner, there’s not going to be a sex drive,” Ruiz explained. “I also will also encourage women to practice with self stimulation so that they understand how their body works and they communicate that to their partner,” he added. “And that actually works for menopausal women as well.” For many women, sexual desire goes up and down over the years, often tied to changes in relationships, stress, and physical changes like pregnancy and menopause. But roughly 10% of women deal with a low sex drive that causes them distress. Bremelanotide (Vyleesi): It’s a shot you give yourself in the belly or thigh 45 minutes before you have sex.

7. Ashwagandha

Adderall affects dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which can shift how reward and arousal are processed. Hormones like estrogen also interact with these brain pathways. So, how Adderall affects libido may vary across the menstrual cycle, perimenopause, or menopause. Adderall can also indirectly affect libido by disrupting sleep, increasing anxiety, or suppressing appetite. If you notice changes in your sex life after starting Adderall, a healthcare professional may recommend adjusting your dose or timing, switching medications, or reviewing other medications you take that could also affect libido.

Medications for HSDD

A “normal” libido (sex drive) is different for everyone. And it may naturally change many times over the course of your life. But if your low libido is making you feel down about your sex life, it could be helpful to talk with your primary care provider. You may be able to make changes in your personal life or to the medications you take. Other treatments are also available and may help you.

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Lifestyle choices can augment female sexual well-being. The U.S. surgeon general wants cancer warnings on alcohol. Efficacy and safety of flibanserin for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Boston University School of Medicine, Sexual Medicine. You take one in a 24-hour period, and doctors recommend only eight shots per month.

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The effects of hormonal and non-hormonal intrauterine devices on female sexual function: A systematic review. A review of sex and gender factors in stimulant treatment for ADHD: Knowledge gaps and future directions. Defining and diagnosing female sexual interest/arousal disorder. Flibanserin ineffective for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women. Long-term safety and efficacy of bremelanotide for hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

Many People Now Trust AI With Their Feelings. And Therapists Want to Talk About It—WBUR

Sexual problems and distress in United States women: Prevalence and correlates. On December 15, 2025, the U.S. FDA approved Addyi (flibanserin) for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in postmenopausal women under the age of 65. Addyi was previously approved in 2015 for the treatment of HSDD in premenopausal women. Past research shows that between 40-55% of people advancing through menopause experience low sexual desire, and about 9% of postmenopausal women have HSDD.

DAMIANA EXTRACT

On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the medication Addyi was previously approved in 2015 for the treatment of HSDD in premenopausal women. Premenopause or “before” menopause refers to the reproductive time in a cisgender woman’s life when they have regular menstrual cycles. Postmenopause refers to the time period after the person finishes menopause and no longer has a menstrual cycle. The majority of people start menopause between the While people can experience HSDD at any age, it is not uncommon to experience a low libido during menopause and postmenopause. Both drugs boost the activity of chemical messengers in your brain, called neurotransmitters, that are key to helping you feel aroused. You take flibanserin every day, whether you plan to have sex or not.

• Some pills target hormonal balance to address low libido in women.
• Risks of libido pills include interactions with other medications or health conditions.
• It’s vital to discuss with a doctor to find the root cause of low libido before medication.
• Monitoring side effects during treatment helps ensure safe and effective use.

You inject bremelanotide only when you need it. It’s important to note that neither drug makes sex better.

Brand Name	Main Ingredients	Price Range	User Ratings (out of 5)	Notable Features
DesirePlus	Maca, Ginseng, L-Arginine	$30-$50	4.2	Natural, vegan formula
LibidoMax	Tribulus, Damiana	$25-$45	4.0	Boosts energy & desire
AmorViva	Yohimbine, Maca	$35-$55	4.3	Enhances blood flow, libido
FemmeRevive	Herbal blend	$20-$40	3.8	Gentle, suitable for sensitive users

They just make you more likely to feel in the mood. Your doctor may recommend that you try sex education and counseling along with the medication.

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For perimenopausal and menopausal women, Hall said optimizing their declining and absent hormones is extremely effective. “Over the 40 years of my work in this area, I commonly see women’s sexuality bloom into a renaissance of youthful passion,” she explained. “Estradiol is extremely effective for this, with the estradiol patch and compounded cream being my top two choices. When testosterone is low and fildena purple pill replaced to youthful levels, orgasms become more easily accessed and are stronger. It is not uncommon for women to tell me that their desire is completely gone and that they can’t even have an orgasm.” “Also when thyroid and adrenal stress hormones are precisely optimized, energy is increased and depression recedes.

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Women report that their sexuality returns to youthful levels causing a resurgence of intimacy and contentment with themselves and their relationships,” Hall continued. Ruiz said that sometimes a low libido comes down to a lack of a female patient’s understanding of how their body functions sexually, and how to communicate it to her partner. “In terms of the first stage of sexual activity, for men arousal is instantaneous. For women, [i]t’s a little bit more diffused and not as direct, so that arousal time may take 20 to 30 minutes.” “Scheduling time for intimacy where that is the primary goal, things like that are helpful. Common activities where they’re together with their partner.