What Would Viagra Do to a Woman?

What Would Viagra Do to a Woman? 

Viagra is a well-known drug for treating erectile dysfunction in men, but it’s sometimes used off-label in women, too. 

While Viagra is primarily designed for men, there’s been growing interest in how it might affect women. Below, we look at what Viagra does for women, its potential benefits, and the things you should consider if you’re curious about trying it.

How does Viagra work?

Sildenafil, sold under the brand name Viagra, helps achieve and maintain an erection by enhancing blood flow to the penis.

When a man is sexually aroused, his body releases nitric oxide into the erectile tissue of his penis. This stimulates an enzyme that produces cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which causes the smooth muscle cells to relax and the arteries in the penis to widen. The increased blood flow to the penis causes the erectile tissue to fill with blood, resulting in an erection. Viagra works by maintaining the level of cGMP in the smooth muscle cells, which are only present when a man is sexually aroused.

This means that Viagra won’t automatically give a man an erection all on its own, because arousal is still required. Viagra targets sexual performance, rather than desire.

Sexual desire (also referred to as libido or sex drive) is influenced by both your mental state and your environment. Everything from your body image and overall mental health, relationship dynamics, to whether your bed is uncomfortable or your partner’s breath stinks all affect desire, AKA how turned on you are.

Viagra can help on the sexual arousal front (by increasing blood flow to the genitals), but it doesn’t address the sexual desire part. So yes, while Viagra can help someone with a penis get and maintain an erection, popping that little blue pill isn’t enough. 

So now that you know how Viagra works in men, what does that mean for women? 

What would Viagra do to a woman?

The idea behind using Viagra for women is similar to how it works in men—it’s thought that the increased blood flow could potentially improve sexual arousal by increasing blood flow to the clitoris and vagina. 

Even though it’s not FDA-approved for women, some doctors prescribe Viagra off-label to treat sexual dysfunction. 

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is defined as a disorder of sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, and/or sexual pain. It’s a pretty broad term used to describe a complex condition. And like many aspects of female sexual health, it’s poorly researched and pretty hard to diagnose. FSD can affect different aspects of your sex life depending on what kind of sexual dysfunction you're experiencing:

• Low libido: A lack of sexual interest and desire to be sexual
• Arousal disorder: Difficulty to become or stay aroused
• Orgasmic disorder: A persistent and recurrent difficulty in achieving orgasm
• Sexual pain disorder: Pain during sex.

Depending on what you’re struggling with, Viagra may help. Viagra may increase blood flow to the vulva, which could help with sexual performance issues such as vaginal lubrication, sensation, and pleasure. In turn, this could enhance overall sexual arousal and the ability to achieve orgasm. More pleasurable sex could also increase sexual desire in those dealing with low libido. 

But in clinical studies, Viagra hasn’t proven to be the cure-all it’s touted to be for women — the reasons for this are incompletely understood but may relate to the lower amount of PDE5 in vaginal and clitoral smooth muscle when compared to men. 

One review suggests that sildenafil only acts on the physical aspects of arousal (such as lubrication and sensation) and does not completely respond to the complexity of FSD. Other research shows promising results in women experiencing diminished arousal as a side effect of taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a common type of antidepressant. 

There’s no conclusive evidence to suggest that Viagra is effective for women, and it’s generally prescribed as a last resort to women with sexual dysfunction who haven’t seen improvement with other treatments first. 

While some women may experience positive effects from Viagra, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. It’s been extensively studied by Pfizer (the pharmaceutical company who manufacture Viagra) in a broad range of women without demonstrating efficacy in increasing arousal that is significantly greater than placebo. The placebo response may be as high as 40% in women in the Viagra clinical trials. 

Viagra isn’t a magic pill for all sexual issues. Women’s sexual health is complex and can be influenced by a range of factors, including physical health, emotional well-being, past trauma, and relationship dynamics. If you’re experiencing sexual difficulties, it’s important to consider all potential causes and solutions, not just medication.

Like any medication, Viagra can have side effects. These can include headaches, flushing, indigestion, and in some rare cases, changes in vision or hearing. There is an absolute contraindication to Viagra. Anyone on nitrates (for angina) must not take Viagra or they may experience a catastrophic drop in blood pressure. It’s essential to talk to a healthcare provider before taking Viagra to understand the risks and whether it’s appropriate for you.

The bottom line is that FSD is a complex, multi-factorial issue that can show up in the bedroom in more ways than one. While Viagra may help with certain aspects of sexual arousal, it doesn’t address the root cause of sexual dysfunction in women. If you’re curious about how Viagra might work for you, it’s crucial to approach this decision with caution and under the guidance of your healthcare professional. 

If you're facing sexual difficulties, know that there are treatments designed specifically for women. For instance, medications such as flibanserin (Addyi) and bremelanotide (Vyleesi) have been approved by the FDA to address hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women. These medications work differently than Viagra and are tailored to help with low sexual desire in women. In addition to medical treatments, non-medical approaches like sex therapy, lifestyle changes, and addressing relationship issues can also play a vital role in improving sexual health and satisfaction.

FAQ

Can Viagra make a woman wet?

In women, Viagra doesn't directly cause vaginal lubrication — ie, "getting wet." Some studies have explored Viagra's effects on women, particularly those with sexual arousal disorders, but the results have been mixed and inconclusive. In women, Viagra can increase blood flow to the genital area, which might enhance physical sensations during arousal and potentially contribute to increased lubrication. However, this effect is not direct or guaranteed, and Viagra doesn't act as a lubricant itself. Instead, any impact on lubrication would be indirect and depend on whether the woman experiences increased sexual arousal. If you're experiencing vaginal dryness or issues with lubrication, you're better off using lube!

How much time does it take for Viagra to work for females? 

It usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour for Viagra to start working after it's taken orally, and the peak effects typically occur within one to two hours. However, this can vary depending on factors such as metabolism, whether you’re on an empty stomach, and your overall health. It's also worth remembering that the effects of Viagra in women are not as well understood as in men, and they may vary from person to person. Since Viagra isn't specifically approved for use in women, these timeframes are based on limited research and anecdotal evidence.