A drug dubbed ‘female Viagra’ won backing from an FDA panel yesterday.  This pill is aimed at women who have lost their sex drive, and could help them regain some of their youthful vigor in the bedroom. The FDA advisory committee voted 18-6 to recommend that the FDA approve the little pink pill.  Flibanserin, the drugs actual name, is intended for use in premenopausal women to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder.  Currently, this recommendation will be given to the FDA, which as a whole will decide whether or not to approve the drug for use.  Since the advisory committee’s recommendation however, the manufacturers seem hopeful that the FDA will follow suit. 

Approval by the FDA means women have at least something they can try for this problem. So far there is no prescription medicine that addresses the female libido in women before menopause.  For women, having this drug on the market means having the chance to feel the same way a guy would when he takes Viagra.  This week’s meeting was actually the third time this drug was reviewed by an FDA advisory committee.  Made by Sprout Pharmaceuticals, flbanserin, has been rejected twice since 2010 because of the potential side effects.  Some of these side effects have been fatigue, low blood pressure and fainting.

The FDA panel voted to approve the daily pill on one condition.  Sprout Pharmaceuticals is to develop a plan in order to minimize the safety risks to users.  This way the risk does not outweigh the benefit for women who would potentially use this drug.  Despite the potential risk, there still might be good reason the FDA is considering this drug.  According to a 2002 study, up to 1/3 of women experience hypoactive sexual desire disorder – simply depleted sex drive.  That’s a pretty big number.  Being able to treat this condition for women, as well as men, contributes to a healthy sex life and increased overall quality of life.  A study done in 2013, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine showed that women taking this ‘female Viagra’ had more satisfying sexual events compared to women using a placebo.

Alternatively, women can do certain things in their daily lives to help sexual dysfunction and increase sex drive.  Here are some suggestions for women to boost their libido, naturally:

• Drink in moderation: By reducing anxiety and stress one drink can help get you in the mood for sex; but beware, alcohol is a depressant, too much booze and you can end up with quite the opposite problem
• Try Aphrodisiacs: Often they are foods that look sexually suggestive like asparagus. Others, like oysters, gain their love-inducing reputation by containing antioxidants and trace elements necessary for good sexual functioning. For example, oysters are packed with zinc, a mineral central to fertility.
• Stop Smoking: It's well known that smoking can have a terrible effect on blood flow to the sexual organs as it causes the blood vessels to narrow. It also saps your stamina and most people don't like kissing an ashtray.
• Exercise: Moderate regular exercise will help improve blood flow to the sexual organs. In addition, exercise helps you feel good about yourself. Anything that improves self-esteem will improve libido.
• Lose Weight: Being overweight can affect not only your self-esteem and your feelings of sexuality but you're likely to suffer from blood vessel disease which can reduce essential blood flow to the genitals
• Eat the Right Things: If your body becomes frail due to bad health, sex invariably suffers. 5-9 fruits and vegetables a day can provide the cornerstone to your health. The vitamins and antioxidants will help maintain good blood flow to the sex organs and prevent certain chronic diseases.
• Relax: Massage techniques can do wonders for sexual arousal particularly if you're stressed, worried or angry
• Gingko Biloba: This herbal remedy made from the leaves of the gingko biloba tree, is known to improve blood flow to the brain and sexual organs; it is thought to have an enhancing effect upon desire, excitement and orgasm
• Feel Good About Yourself: Spoil yourself when you're feeling down and take some time to relax or do an activity that makes you feel better within yourself