Addressing HSDD with Medical Intervention
“From the moment I stepped into the male sexual health space, my fascination was: This matters in someone’s overall life experience,” she says. “Sex is an integral part of the human experience, and when you can improve that for somebody, it’s the highest reward.” But seeing those images at the conference—and realizing that no one else seemed to care—spurred Cindy to ask the “obvious,” she says: How can we have as many as 26 FDA-approved medications for men to lead a more satisfying sex life and not a single one for women?
How do you take Addyi?
“From the moment I stepped into the male sexual health space, my fascination was: This matters in someone’s overall life experience,” she says. “Sex is an integral part of the human experience, and when you can improve that for somebody, it’s the highest reward.” But seeing those images at the conference—and realizing that no one else seemed to care—spurred Cindy to ask the “obvious,” she says: How can we have as many as 26 FDA-approved medications for men to lead a more satisfying sex life and not a single one for women? “I knew, based on the data, more women than men actually struggle” with sexual dysfunction. About half of women—40 to 50 percent—will, at some point in their life, suffer from at least one of the four main types of sexual dysfunction: desire disorders, arousal disorders, orgasm disorders, and pain disorders. The most prevalent is HSDD, affecting about 10 percent of women, predominantly those age 45 and older.
Keys to patient success
In fact, nearly 42 percent of women report a drop in sexual desire during perimenopause. Meanwhile, erectile dysfunction—the main type of sexual dysfunction in men—affects up to 14 percent of men under age 40, increasing to about 52 percent between ages 40 and 70. For Cindy, the issue was also personal. She’d struggled with symptoms of HSDD, as well as with the (lack of) treatment options. “Here I was, running a company for men to lead more satisfying sex lives and missing out on having one of my own,” she says.
Who should not use Addyi?
“I wanted that part of myself back, but I was dismissed when I brought up the concern to my ob-gyn.” She was told it was a psychological problem and the solution was to light candles, practice mindfulness—just relax. HSDD took a toll on her relationship, which ended, and on her self-confidence as well. “I’d accepted that dim reality,” she says. But when she saw the numbers and the science on that screen, “lightning struck.” Cindy super tadapox 100mg spent the next year working with the “best sexual medicine doctors in the world” and listening to female patients share their experiences. “They came from all walks of life, but every person’s story at some point was exactly the same,” she recalls. “I knew, based on the data, more women than men actually struggle” with sexual dysfunction. About half of women—40 to 50 percent—will, at some point in their life, suffer from at least one of the four main types of sexual dysfunction: desire disorders, arousal disorders, orgasm disorders, and pain disorders. The most prevalent is HSDD, affecting about 10 percent of women, predominantly those age 45 and older.
- Pink pills are part of a broader trend towards female-centered wellness.
- They can potentially enhance intimacy, confidence, and overall satisfaction.
- Unregulated products pose risks of contamination or inappropriate ingredients.
- Always verify product credentials and manufacturer reputation before purchase.
In fact, nearly 42 percent of women report a drop in sexual desire during perimenopause. Meanwhile, erectile dysfunction—the main type of sexual dysfunction in men—affects up to 14 percent of men under age 40, increasing to about 52 percent between ages 40 and 70.
- The pink pill targets issues like low desire and menstrual discomfort.
- It may improve mood and increase energy levels in women.
- Side effects can include headaches, nausea, or hormonal imbalances.
- Its use is often personalized based on hormonal levels and health status.
For Cindy, the issue was also personal.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levitra Professional | 20mg | 360 + 6 Pills | 914.63€ 871.08€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 5mg | 360 + 10 Pills | 268.08€ 255.31€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 360 + 10 Pills | 213.68€ 203.50€ | |
| Viagra Oral Jelly | 100mg | 10 Sachets | 46.36€ 44.15€ | |
| Kamagra Oral Jelly | 100 mg | 21 Sachets | 95.92€ 91.35€ | |
| Cialis Original | 20mg | 64 + 4 Pills | 274.18€ 261.12€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 20mg | 10 Pills | 31.49€ 29.99€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 2.5mg | 270 + 10 Pills | 199.64€ 190.13€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 60mg | 120 + 8 Pills | 240.18€ 228.74€ | |
| Kamagra Oral Jelly | 100 mg | 63 + 7 Sachets | 224.18€ 213.50€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 60mg | 30 + 2 Pills | 109.43€ 104.22€ | |
| Levitra Original | 20mg | 76 + 4 Pills | 344.39€ 327.99€ | |
| Levitra Soft Tabs | 20mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 178.40€ 169.90€ | |
| Levitra Original | 20mg | 22 + 2 Pills | 138.55€ 131.95€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 100mg | 20 Pills | 45.58€ 43.41€ |
She’d struggled with symptoms of HSDD, as well as with the (lack of) treatment options. “Here I was, running a company for men to lead more satisfying sex lives and missing out on having one of my own,” she says. “I wanted that part of myself back, but I was dismissed when I brought up the concern to my ob-gyn.” She was told it was a psychological problem and the solution was to light candles, practice mindfulness—just relax. HSDD took a toll on her relationship, which ended, and on her self-confidence as well. “I’d accepted that dim reality,” she says. But when she saw the numbers and the science on that screen, “lightning struck.” Cindy super tadapox 100mg spent the next year working with the “best sexual medicine doctors in the world” and listening to female patients share their experiences. “They came from all walks of life, but every person’s story at some point was exactly the same,” she recalls. This is the same struggle.” Despite being in happy relationships, these women had little to no sexual desire. When they were intimate with their partners, it often took the form of “mercy sex,” because they loved their partner and wanted them to feel pleasure, even though the women weren’t experiencing any themselves. The worst part: They didn’t know why they felt this way—and all of the so-called solutions (date nights, relaxing bubble baths, etc.) didn’t work. Those real-talk conversations were Cindy’s secret fuel as she sold Slate Pharmaceuticals, founded Sprout Pharmaceuticals, and began the grueling six-year FDA approval process for Addyi, the first medication designed to treat HSDD in premenopausal women. She was determined that she and all those other women would be taken seriously for what they knew was happening to them biologically—not psychologically. HSDD is believed to be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain (not unlike anxiety and depression), and flibanserin—the active ingredient in Addyi—impacts mood.
Why did Sprout have to file a separate request to treat decreased libido in women past menopause?
This is the same struggle.” Despite being in happy relationships, these women had little to no sexual desire. When they were intimate with their partners, it often took the form of “mercy sex,” because they loved their partner and wanted them to feel pleasure, even though the women weren’t experiencing any themselves. The worst part: They didn’t know why they felt this way—and all of the so-called solutions (date nights, relaxing bubble baths, etc.) didn’t work. Those real-talk conversations were Cindy’s secret fuel as she sold Slate Pharmaceuticals, founded Sprout Pharmaceuticals, and began the grueling six-year FDA approval process for Addyi, the first medication designed to treat HSDD in premenopausal women. She was determined that she and all those other women would be taken seriously for what they knew was happening to them biologically—not psychologically.
More common
HSDD is believed to be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain (not unlike anxiety and depression), and flibanserin—the active ingredient in Addyi—impacts mood. “That’s how it was first discovered: It was a mood drug that had an interesting side effect in that it made you think about sex,” Cindy says. The way that flibanserin works in the brain is not fully understood, but it’s believed to interact with serotonin receptors, increasing the release of dopamine and norepinephrine, both of which play a role in sexual response and behavior. “I am a firm believer that women’s biggest sex organ is here,” she says, pointing to her temple. Many antidepressants and antianxiety medications, such as Lexapro, Zoloft, and Prozac, are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which primarily work by increasing serotonin but can also have an indirect effect on dopamine.
Common side effects
That one-two punch is known to decrease sex drive (one of the common side effects of SSRIs), so the theory goes that because flibanserin appears to act on those neurotransmitters in the opposite way, it would have the opposite effect. As Cindy and her team began developing Addyi, which she dubbed “the little pink pill,” the hyperfeminine hue also became her armor. Challenging the status quo was not easy, even with a track record. “I’d built a successful company in men’s [sexual] health, yet everyone would pat me on the shoulder and almost in a singsong voice say, ‘Oh, the little pink pill, that’s cute,’” she says. “It was so obvious what was embedded in that—making it trivial, the perceived weakness of femininity.” Her “unapologetically pink” outlook began to form, almost turning into a battle cry. “That’s how it was first discovered: It was a mood drug that had an interesting side effect in that it made you think about sex,” Cindy says. The way that flibanserin works in the brain is not fully understood, but it’s believed to interact with serotonin receptors, increasing the release of dopamine and norepinephrine, both of which play a role in sexual response and behavior. “I am a firm believer that women’s biggest sex organ is here,” she says, pointing to her temple. Many antidepressants and antianxiety medications, such as Lexapro, Zoloft, and Prozac, are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which primarily work by increasing serotonin but can also have an indirect effect on dopamine. That one-two punch is known to decrease sex drive (one of the common side effects of SSRIs), so the theory goes that because flibanserin appears to act on those neurotransmitters in the opposite way, it would have the opposite effect. As Cindy and her team began developing Addyi, which she dubbed “the little pink pill,” the hyperfeminine hue also became her armor.
What women are saying
Challenging the status quo was not easy, even with a track record. “I’d built a successful company in men’s [sexual] health, yet everyone would pat me on the shoulder and almost in a singsong voice say, ‘Oh, the little pink pill, that’s cute,’” she says. “It was so obvious what was embedded in that—making it trivial, the perceived weakness of femininity.” Her “unapologetically pink” outlook began to form, almost turning into a battle cry. She started wearing pink every day, and the shade became brighter and bolder with each subsequent FDA hearing for Addyi. She didn’t care if they didn’t take her seriously at first. Now, when she wears pink, she feels as if she’s “suiting up to go on mission.” That mission? “It’s you getting to live your life on your own terms with complete agency over your pleasure,” Cindy says. That proud pink stance wasn’t her natural inclination. Like sex power tablet many women, Cindy had “absolutely no sex education” growing up, she says. Her father worked for the State Department, and she moved so much that she was in a different school every year from fourth grade through high school.
Is Addyi effective?
Still, Cindy dreams of the day when doctors ask about sexual satisfaction as a routine part of a woman’s annual checkup. The longer-term goal is changing what the medical establishment prioritizes, from the top down. Cindy views the advocacy work she’s done with Addyi as part of a larger health care revolution. “Women are now like, ‘I’m gonna demand the care I deserve,’” she says. “The female population is challenging the medical establishment. “No chance I was getting clear messaging on sex,” she says, other than the societal narrative that “pleasure is a man’s to receive and a woman’s to deliver.” She sees firsthand the lasting effects of this notion. Whenever she meets someone new—say, at a cocktail party—and they ask what she does, she watches their reaction carefully as she explains her work with Addyi.
i have little to no sexual desire
She started wearing pink every day, and the shade became brighter and bolder with each subsequent FDA hearing for Addyi. She didn’t care if they didn’t take her seriously at first. Now, when she wears pink, she feels as if she’s “suiting up to go on mission.” That mission? “It’s you getting to live your life on your own terms with complete agency over your pleasure,” Cindy says. That proud pink stance wasn’t her natural inclination.
Missed Dose
Like sex power tablet many women, Cindy had “absolutely no sex education” growing up, she says. Her father worked for the State Department, and she moved so much that she was in a different school every year from fourth grade through high school. “No chance I was getting clear messaging on sex,” she says, other than the societal narrative that “pleasure is a man’s to receive and a woman’s to deliver.” She sees firsthand the lasting effects of this notion. Whenever she meets someone new—say, at a cocktail party—and they ask what she does, she watches their reaction carefully as she explains her work with Addyi. “If it’s a male-female couple, the woman kind of shuts down, like, ‘Oh yeah, okay, I don’t need that,’ and the man leans forward and goes, ‘Can I take it?’” she says.
Ask her, and start the conversation.
“You see societal conditioning in a snapshot: The woman’s like, ‘I’m not supposed to talk about this,’ and the man’s like, ‘I am entitled to this.’” That might explain why, although Addyi received FDA approval and came on the market in 2015, you haven’t heard much about it. “It tells you how deeply embedded this is culturally—the daring to talk about women’s sexual pleasure.” Addyi was immediately dubbed “the female Viagra,” and for better or worse (mostly for worse, per Cindy), the moniker stuck. “In a way, you think [the comparison] is amazing: This can be as transformative for women’s health as Viagra was for men’s. But it also sets up the wrong notion of how desire works for women,” Cindy says. “Sex, for women, is not the performative act. “If it’s a male-female couple, the woman kind of shuts down, like, ‘Oh yeah, okay, I don’t need that,’ and the man leans forward and goes, ‘Can I take it?’” she says. “You see societal conditioning in a snapshot: The woman’s like, ‘I’m not supposed to talk about this,’ and the man’s like, ‘I am entitled to this.’” That might explain why, although Addyi received FDA approval and came on the market in 2015, you haven’t heard much about it. “It tells you how deeply embedded this is culturally—the daring to talk about women’s sexual pleasure.” Addyi was immediately dubbed “the female Viagra,” and for better or worse (mostly for worse, per Cindy), the moniker stuck. “In a way, you think [the comparison] is amazing: This can be as transformative for women’s health as Viagra was for men’s. But it also sets up the wrong notion of how desire works for women,” Cindy says.
- The pink pill can improve blood flow, leading to increased arousal.
- It may help with vaginal dryness or discomfort during intimacy.
- Psychological factors, like stress, also influence its effectiveness.
- Combining with counseling or therapy can enhance results.
“Sex, for women, is not the performative act. It’s about being in the headspace of feeling sexy, being interested, responding to your partner or to [other] cues. We’re brain flow, not blood flow.” The comparison to Viagra also epitomizes the double standard that Cindy has spent a decade trying to dismantle.
| Benefit | Description | Evidence Level | Common Side Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mood Stabilization | Helps reduce anxiety and improve mood | Moderate | Headaches, nausea |
| Increased Libido | Boosts sexual desire | Anecdotal, some studies | Fatigue, dizziness |
| Better Sleep | Promotes better quality sleep | Consistent reports | Drowsiness, dry mouth |
| Energy Boost | Provides a natural increase in daytime alertness | Limited clinical data | Jitters, insomnia |
“The atrocity of women’s health is that we’re not taken seriously, and it shows up in so many ways,” she says. “First, it shows up in the regulatory queue, where there’s a double standard to get to an approval.” Viagra was “deemed to meet such an important unmet medical need” that the FDA fast-tracked the review process and approved it in less than six months. Despite having “three times as many patients’ worth of data” proving the efficacy of Addyi, Cindy says, it spent six years in the regulatory queue waiting for approval. That double standard also shows up in advertising guidelines: Hypoactive sexual desire disorder contains the word sex (the horror! “When we first put up ads, they were all taken down,” Cindy says. Even now, you’ll find Addyi commercials mostly on podcasts with a female-leaning audience, not on national TV, in clear contrast to the onslaught of ads for mail-order generic Viagra. Last but certainly not least, the double standard shows up in the medical establishment.
| Aspect | Description | Usage Frequency | Intended Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is the Pink Pill | A supplement or medication aimed at improving women's health | Daily, Weekly, As prescribed | Enhances mood, energy, libido |
| Main Ingredients | Melatonin, herbal extracts, vitamins | varies | hormonal balance, vitality |
| Target Audience | Women aged 25-50 | N/A | Women's health improvement |
Perimenopausal women are the largest demographic using Addyi—a patient group that has been, until recently, largely ignored, undermined, and misdiagnosed. (Right now, Addyi is FDA-approved only to treat premenopausal women, but Cindy just received word that it’s been “fast-tracked” for approval in postmenopausal women in the U.S., which is a promising sign.) Whether officially diagnosed with HSDD or not, women in perimenopause tend to face the same struggles: mood imbalances, libido shifts, weight gain, and sleep disturbances. “Addyi works on every single one of those things,” Cindy says, adding that it does so without hormones. For women who can’t use vaginal estrogen or hormone replacement therapy for other medical reasons, Addyi can be a boon, but the comparison to Viagra has “almost allowed the medical community to not understand how Addyi works,” she says. “Sometimes I’ll sit in a room fildena 200 mg with physicians and say, ‘Tell me how it works.’ They don’t know that it’s brain chemistry.” To be clear, progress has been made. Today, you can’t pass a board exam to be an ob-gyn or urologist without answering a question about Addyi.
I feel stressed due to my low desire
Medicine’s following their lead, not the other way around.” At the front of that invigorated pack? Cindy, their pink-suited entrepreneurial leader, who’ll never stop talking about a woman’s right to understand that better sex and true desire are part of her overall wellness. Lindsay Geller is the lifestyle director at Women’s Health, where she oversees the Sex & Love, Relationships, and Life sections and manages Women’s Health+ content. She has 10 years of experience covering sex, relationships, health, fitness, and general lifestyle topics for print and digital publications. Still, Cindy dreams of the day when doctors ask about sexual satisfaction as a routine part of a woman’s annual checkup. The longer-term goal is changing what the medical establishment prioritizes, from the top down. Cindy views the advocacy work she’s done with Addyi as part of a larger health care revolution.
- The pink pill aims to boost women's libido and sexual satisfaction.
- It often contains ingredients like aphrodisiacs or hormonal components.
- Some pink pills are marketed as supplements; others are pharmaceutical drugs.
- Effectiveness varies; consult a healthcare provider before use.
“Women are now like, ‘I’m gonna demand the care I deserve,’” she says.
Boxed Warnings with Addyi
It’s about being in the headspace of feeling sexy, being interested, responding to your partner or to [other] cues. We’re brain flow, not blood flow.” The comparison to Viagra also epitomizes the double standard that Cindy has spent a decade trying to dismantle. “The atrocity of women’s health is that we’re not taken seriously, and it shows up in so many ways,” she says. “First, it shows up in the regulatory queue, where there’s a double standard to get to an approval.” Viagra was “deemed to meet such an important unmet medical need” that the FDA fast-tracked the review process and approved it in less than six months. Despite having “three times as many patients’ worth of data” proving the efficacy of Addyi, Cindy says, it spent six years in the regulatory queue waiting for approval.
Is Lack of Desire all in Our Heads??
That double standard also shows up in advertising guidelines: Hypoactive sexual desire disorder contains the word sex (the horror! “When we first put up ads, they were all taken down,” Cindy says. Even now, you’ll find Addyi commercials mostly on podcasts with a female-leaning audience, not on national TV, in clear contrast to the onslaught of ads for mail-order generic Viagra. Last but certainly not least, the double standard shows up in the medical establishment. Perimenopausal women are the largest demographic using Addyi—a patient group that has been, until recently, largely ignored, undermined, and misdiagnosed.
Drug Interactions
(Right now, Addyi is FDA-approved only to treat premenopausal women, but Cindy just received word that it’s been “fast-tracked” for approval in postmenopausal women in the U.S., which is a promising sign.) Whether officially diagnosed with HSDD or not, women in perimenopause tend to face the same struggles: mood imbalances, libido shifts, weight gain, and sleep disturbances. “Addyi works on every single one of those things,” Cindy says, adding that it does so without hormones. For women who can’t use vaginal estrogen or hormone replacement therapy for other medical reasons, Addyi can be a boon, but the comparison to Viagra has “almost allowed the medical community to not understand how Addyi works,” she says. “Sometimes I’ll sit in a room fildena 200 mg with physicians and say, ‘Tell me how it works.’ They don’t know that it’s brain chemistry.” To be clear, progress has been made. Today, you can’t pass a board exam to be an ob-gyn or urologist without answering a question about Addyi. “The female population is challenging the medical establishment. Medicine’s following their lead, not the other way around.” At the front of that invigorated pack? Cindy, their pink-suited entrepreneurial leader, who’ll never stop talking about a woman’s right to understand that better sex and true desire are part of her overall wellness. Lindsay Geller is the lifestyle director at Women’s Health, where she oversees the Sex & Love, Relationships, and Life sections and manages Women’s Health+ content. She has 10 years of experience covering sex, relationships, health, fitness, and general lifestyle topics for print and digital publications.