More Women Can Now Use the Libido Drug Addyi
The FDA has recently given the green light to a wider group of women to use Addyi, a drug designed to boost sexual desire. This time, the approval is for postmenopausal women up to 65 years old. Addyi was first introduced a decade ago for premenopausal women dealing with emotional stress due to a low sex drive.
About Addyi
Addyi, created by Sprout Pharmaceuticals, was initially thought to be a huge success in women's health. However, it has not lived up to the hype. The drug comes with some unpleasant side effects, such as:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
There's also a serious warning about mixing it with alcohol, which can lead to dangerously low blood pressure and fainting.
Usage Guidelines
The FDA recommends that if a patient has a few drinks, they should:
- Wait a few hours before taking Addyi
- Or skip a dose altogether
Addyi works by affecting brain chemicals that influence mood and appetite. Despite its potential, sales have been lower than expected. In 2019, another drug for low female libido was approved, an on-demand injection that works differently.
Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
The condition that Addyi treats, called hypoactive sexual desire disorder, has been recognized since the 1990s. It affects a significant number of American women, according to surveys. After the success of Viagra for men in the 1990s, drug companies started investing in research for similar treatments for women.
Diagnosis Challenges
However, diagnosing this condition is complex. Many factors can affect libido, especially after menopause, when hormone levels drop and cause various biological changes. Doctors must rule out other issues, such as:
- Relationship problems
- Medical conditions
- Depression
- Other mental disorders
Controversy
The diagnosis is not universally accepted. Some psychologists argue that low sex drive should not be seen as a medical problem. The FDA initially rejected Addyi twice due to its modest effectiveness and concerning side effects. The approval came after a lobbying effort by the company and its supporters, who framed the lack of options for female libido as a women's rights issue.
