Why is there no Viagra for women?

Since Viagra tablets hit the erectile dysfunction market more than ten years ago, the interest on sexual dysfunction treatment has soared.

Considering the enormous success achieved in the treatment of men with all forms of erectile dysfunction with the magic formulation by Pfizer, the question is: Can Viagra tablets be equally employed to treat sexual arousal disorders in women?
A straight answer to this is no. In general, treatment of arousal problems in women can't be achieved with just a pill.

Sildenafil citrate, as Viagra tablets are chiefly constituted, is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration to orally treat erectile dysfunction — the inability of a man to achieve or maintain an erection that is long enough to have sex.

Viagra pills are known inhibitors of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE 5) enzyme and other erectile dysfunction drugs which fall under this category include tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra).

Viagra and these other drugs work by releasing nitric oxide into the corpus cavernosum of the penis. The NO then binds to the PDE 5 specific guanylate cyclase which then allows for the levels of guanosine monophosphate – a neurotransmitter that relaxes muscles in blood vessels of the penis – to be increased.

The relaxation of the smooth muscles increases blood flow to the corpus cavernosum, thereby allowing for a man to have an erection in response to being sexually aroused.

However, a treatment that is similar for women or a Viagra for women, as it is succinctly put, is not in existence.

Though women who are experiencing loss of sexual function due to the use of antidepressants may respond to Viagra, it is not however possible that simply dealing with difficulties with female arousal would get to the actual problem — which is frequently a lack of sexual desire.

There are many factors that can influence a woman's sexual desire. Some of them include:
• Many women find that the stresses of daily life could drastically deplete their desire for sex.

• The highs and lows in sexual interest may coincide with the start or end of a relationship or major changes in life, such as pregnancy or menopause.
• Orgasm can be elusive in some women, thereby causing concerns or preoccupations that could further lead to a loss of desire in sex.

• Often times, a woman's desire is connected to her sense of intimacy with her partner, as well as a reaction to her present relationship past experiences and frustrations. Psychological troubles can over time contribute to biological problems or the other way round.

• Some chronic conditions, such as multiple sclerosis or diabetes, can affect a woman's sexual-response cycle, thereby causing discomfort during sex. In addition, certain infections, such as yeast infections, can have a similar effect.

In conclusion, any woman that is experiencing changes or difficulties with her sexual function, should consult her physician. In some cases, hormones, clitoral-stimulating products, creams or other treatments could be of great help.

However, these products do not work for everybody. It is possible that a doctor could also recommend the woman consulting a sex therapist.