Is There a Female Viagra to Amp Up My Sex Drive?

Our experts offer advice on what women can do to boost their sex life

Ellen Uzelac,

AARP

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Published October 17, 2024

Kiersten Essenpreis

I was listening to a sex podcaster the other day who pointed out how complex a woman’s genital real estate can be and how little women know about it.

This week, a reader asks a straightforward question about her clitoris. Our experts’ response? Just like the podcaster said, it’s complicated.

I'm 58 and I have a problem with blood flow to my clitoris. What can I do about it? Is there medication, a female Viagra, that women can take to treat this?

Before seeking a pharma fix, our physicians suggest that you rule out any underlying conditions that could be contributing to your lack of arousal.

Anita Mikkilineni, an ob-gyn focused on sexual health at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C., says the female orgasm is “complex” and “variable” and that there are any number of issues that could cause decreased arousal and genital function.

Step 1: Make sure you know what the problem is - it might not be what you think. Kate White, professor and chair of ob-gyn at Boston Medical Center and Boston University, says it’s possible that blood flow could be a factor. But, she adds, blood flow doesn’t actually play a starring role when it comes to female arousal.

“Blood flow to the penis acts differently. It’s necessary for engorgement and erection,” she says. “For women, the nerve bundles of the clitoris, which are really long and deep, are not as influenced by blood flow.”

Mikkilineni says to see a physician who can do a full history and physical to make sure that your symptoms are not due to meds you're taking or a medical condition like hypertension or diabetes. “Managing chronic medical conditions can go a long way in restoring genital arousal,” she says.

And add this to your checklist of what to talk to your ob-gyn about, says Mikkilineni: a comprehensive vulvar and pelvic floor exam that could turn up, among other things, any skin abnormalities, signs of low estrogen, weak or tight pelvic muscles, and dermatologic issues. A healthy pelvic floor is “super important” in supporting the female genital orgasm, she adds.

White says you may also want to get checked for Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder, or FSIAD - one of the most common sexual dysfunctions in women who have gone through menopause. A key part of the diagnosis is when a woman expresses frustration or distress at having reduced sex drive and arousal, she says.

Treatment options for FSIAD include psychological counseling and physical therapy. White says individual counseling can address anxiety and foster acceptance of a new phase in life while couples therapy can teach you how to be sexual in new ways. If the lack of arousal stems from painful intercourse, as happens for many older women, physical therapy can help, White adds.

Step 2: Consider drug options. If, after eliminating any other health issues, you want to try a medication to boost your arousal, here’s a sampler. Of course, as with any medication, all of these come with side effects and warnings so be sure to consult a medical professional about what might work best for you.

More 50+ Sex Advice

Viagra. While it’s not FDA-approved for use by women, some sexual medicine providers do prescribe Viagra off-label to female patients, Mikkilineni says. “You just don’t take your husband’s Viagra,” she warns – just as you shouldn’t take any medicine that hasn’t been prescribed for you. White, however, says she is not a fan of Viagra for women at all, saying there’s no strong evidence that it works for females.

Viagra cream. There is a Viagra cream approved for women that Mikkilineni says is showing a lot of promise. You apply the medication, called topical sildenafil, to the clitoral/vulvar area 30 to 45 minutes prior to sex. “There is not a lot of risk with this medication,” she adds. Although again, always check with your doctor.

Eros. Approved by the FDA, Eros is a clitoral suction device that is meant to improve clitoral blood flow, Mikkilineni says. It’s a small hand-held vacuum pump that stimulates the clitoris with the aim of increasing genital sensation. It can be used at home. The device is widely available online, Mikkilineni says, and doesn’t require a prescription.

Addyi and Vyleesi. You may have heard of these two drugs, approved by the FDA to help treat low sexual desire and low sexual arousal, White says. However, both are targeted at perimenopausal women she says, adding that some physicians do prescribe them off-label for those in menopause.

Do you have questions about sex or relationships as a 50-plus adult? Send them to sexafter50@aarp.org.

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