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What is the new “little pink pill”?

And do I need it?

Are you a HOT MESS?
I mean....literally.

Menopause doesn't have to be scary. Inside this FREE e-book, I’ll clearly explain everything you need to know about menopause. You'll finally understand what’s happening to your body, why it’s happening and what you can do about it...so you can stop feeling like a hot mess and start feeling like yourself again!

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by Gayle Yatawara, MD in Gynecology, Sexual Health, Wellness
December 7, 2016 0 comments
Menopause/Women's Health/Gratitude/Anti-Aging/Wellness/Decreased Libido/Addyi

Do you care if you EVER have sex again?

You’re not alone!

About 10% of women experience decreased libido (decreased sexual desire)….and, frankly, it creates PROBLEMS, doesn’t it?The real question is: can the new, “little pink pill” help?

Addyi (add-ee) was recently approved by the FDA for the diagnosis of female Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder….or decreased libido (in plain English).  Addyi is the first drug approved by the FDA for FEMALE sexual dysfunction while the FDA has approved 26 medications that treat male sexual dysfunction (typical, right?).  We all know about Viagra (or the “little blue pill”).  You know “those” commercials.  The ones that we see while watching TV with our children…AWKWARD!!

I know that I don’t have to describe low sex drive in detail, but I thought you might want a little review.  Decreased libido can be recognized by: no interest in sex; few, if any, thoughts or fantasies about sex; and, being bothered by the lack of sex drive.  MANY things contribute to decreased libido, including:

  • Pain during sex

  • Inability to orgasm

  • Medical illness

  • Medications (birth control pills, antidepressants)

  • Fatigue

  • Lifestyle habits (too much alcohol consumption, smoking (which can decrease blood flow and decrease arousal), street drugs

  • Changes in hormones (menopause, pregnancy, breastfeeding)

  • Psychological issues (depression, anxiety, stress, poor body image, history of sexual abuse, history of negative sexual experience)

  • Relationship issues (lack of closeness, unresolved conflicts, lack of communication as to your needs, infidelity)

In short, Addyi is NOT for EVERYONE!

It is a non-hormonal pill that acts on the dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain.  Soooo, only women with a dopamine and serotonin imbalance are candidates for this drug. In fact, Addyi was actually discovered after being tested as an antidepressant and was noted to increase libido in these studies.

So, let me give you the *DOWN AND DIRTY* about Addyi:

  1.  NOT approved for POSTmenopausal women

  2. Must be taken EVERY DAY

  3. 0.5-1 more “sexually satisfying events per month”

  4. Might take 4 weeks to see results; discontinue if no results after 8 weeks

  5. Cannot drink ANY alcohol-and you must sign a form stating that you understand that!-blood pressure can drop significantly causing dizziness or fainting if you drink alcohol while taking Addyi-17% of women experienced symptoms after two drinks and 25% after four drinks-the symptoms can be serious

  6. LASTLY, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, it doesn’t make your husband better looking or sexier or make him empty the dishwasher or pick up his dirty clothes J….the list could go on and on!

In summary, I don’t think Addyi will be a medication that I will prescribe often, but it is reassuring that there is SOMETHING available for premenopausal patients…..

Are you a HOT MESS?
I mean....literally.

Menopause doesn't have to be scary. Inside this FREE e-book, I’ll clearly explain everything you need to know about menopause. You'll finally understand what’s happening to your body, why it’s happening and what you can do about it...so you can stop feeling like a hot mess and start feeling like yourself again!

Subscribe