The FDA is recommending flibaneserin, otherwise known as the first-ever “female Viagra” pill, for females who suffer from hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). Although its benefits have been described as “marginal,” “a moderate benefit is better than nothing” for premenopausal women who suffer from HSDD. The disorder is defined by the American Psychiatric Association as a “lack of, or significantly reduced, sexual interest/arousal, manifesting as at least three of the following symptoms: no or little interest in sexual activity, no or few sexual thoughts, no or few attempts to initiate sexual activity or respond to partner’s initiation, no or little sexual pleasure/excitement in 75%-100% of sexual experiences, no or little sexual interest in internal or external erotic stimuli, and no or few genital/nongenital sensations in 75%-100% of sexual experiences.”
Sally Greenberg, executive director of the National Consumers League: “I think this is a huge moment for women’s sexual health, in the way that the pill was for women’s sexual health and ability to control their own destiny.” Flibaneserin is made by Sprout Pharmaceuticals in Raleigh, North Carolina.
