Vyleesi? Addyi? How women can get help for low sexual desire

Vyleesi activates melanocortin receptors, Addyi targets serotonin receptors, but we still don’t have a full understanding of how these medications affect women's sexual desire. For both drugs, the effect is modest at best — these are not magic wands for libido. It’s wrong and confusing to call these drugs "female Viagra." Doctors, women and the public at large are less informed about female sexual function than we all should be. In women and men, sexual function includes libido or interest in sex, sexual arousal (including erection) and orgasm. It would be great if we could find a single treatment to address all aspects of function, but we don’t have one yet. For an ongoing stream of science-driven information about libido and other female sexual function topics, follow WomanLab: The University of Chicago's Program in Integrative Sexual Medicine for Women and Girls with Cancer (PRISM Clinic) is designed to identify, prevent and treat sexual health problems in female cancer patients and survivors.Program in Integrative Sexual Medicine (PRISM) for Women and Girls with Cancer If you’re a woman struggling with low libido or other sexual dysfunction concerns, you’re not alone. Research estimates that 10% of adult women live with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), and other studies report that approximately 40-50% experience at least one distressing sexual symptom in their lives due to the hormone changes of menopause.1 2 These symptoms vary widely from person to person and can manifest both physically and mentally. Since these symptoms can be highly distressing and result in lowered self-esteem or relationship difficulties, you may be looking for the quickest fix possible. But with so many options on the market — a lot of which are from shady companies making impossible promises — how do you know which ones are effective and, most importantly, safe? In this guide to the best female arousal pills and topicals, we give you all the details of our top picks, including safety, effectiveness, cost, discounts, and much more. If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick summary of our findings. Best over-the-counter pill: Promescent VitaFLUX Best (and fastest) prescription pill: Cake Meds Libido Lift Rx for Her Runner-up OTC pill: Hello Cake Drive For Her Best over-the-counter topical: Unbound Jolt Gel Promescent’s VitaFLUX is a non-prescription alternative that can improve libido, arousal, and natural lubrication in women. This vegan-friendly supplement relies on magnesium, zinc, and three amino acids — all of which research suggests can boost nitric oxide production and improve many symptoms of sexual dysfunction. Promescent offers our readers an exclusive $5 off at checkout when clicking any link on this page. Over the past two decades, Innerbody Research has helped tens of millions of readers make more informed decisions about staying healthy and living healthier lifestyles. For this review of the best female arousal products, we pored over dozens of scientific studies and articles on safe and effective ingredients, and our team thoroughly investigated the companies behind the products. Our testers also purchased these items so that we could compare them and provide detailed explanations (such as differences in pill size). As more information on new products and ingredients becomes available, we’ll tadalis 20 update this review accordingly. Additionally, like all health-related content on this website, this guide was thoroughly vetted for accuracy by one or more members of our Medical Review Board. There is a wide variety of female arousal pills, gels, creams, and other products on the market.

• [Estroven: Menopause supplement, may improve related symptoms.]
• [Amberen: Menopause supplement for hot flashes and mood.]
• [Remifemin: Black cohosh extract for menopause.]
• [EstroGel: Transdermal estrogen gel.]
• [Climara: Estrogen patch for menopausal therapy.]

With some containing less-than-safe ingredients, it’s important to know which libido-support products for women are safe and effective. We also evaluated these products based on how burdensome (or not) the cost may be and how convenient they are to acquire and use.

Understanding Low Libido in Women

Unlike the sketchy “instant female arousal pill” products on the market, our top picks overwhelmingly rely on safe ingredients. Our choice for the best over-the-counter (OTC) pill, VitaFLUX, only uses five active ingredients: L-arginine, L-citrulline, L-carnitine tartrate, magnesium, and zinc. These amino acids and minerals should be safe for most people to take. However, there are some instances where an alternative might be better for you. For example, taking L-arginine could trigger a herpes flare-up (both HSV-1 and HSV-2), and L-carnitine may interact with certain thyroid medications.3 4 So, as always, we recommend consulting your doctor before starting a supplement to ensure it’s safe for you.

Overall, though, the ingredients in VitaFLUX don’t pose much of a risk for most people. HerSolution pills, on the other hand, have one ingredient that we’re not thrilled by the inclusion of — dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Even though HerSolution’s 25mg dose of DHEA technically puts it in the “possibly safe” category, it still has the potential to interact with a multitude of mental health prescriptions, and it may worsen psychiatric disorders (among other adverse effects).5 6 This doesn’t mean that HerSolution is unsafe when used as directed, but it does make it a riskier choice than alternatives without DHEA, like VitaFLUX. And all pill options mentioned in this guide, including Cake’s Libido Lift Rx and Drive For Her, may not be ideal for those on blood pressure medications, as nitric oxide has vasodilating effects.63 Cream and Jolt Gel pose fairly low risks for adverse effects. As with VitaFLUX, Jolt Gel has the potential to cause a herpes flare-up due to its L-arginine content (which is the case with HerSolution Gel, too).3 And OMG! Cream may cause some minor side effects, like skin itching or irritation.

Lifestyle and home remedies

For this review of the best female arousal products, we pored over dozens of scientific studies and articles on safe and effective ingredients, and our team thoroughly investigated the companies behind the products. Our testers also purchased these items so that we could compare them and provide detailed explanations (such as differences in pill size). As more information on new products and ingredients becomes available, we’ll tadalis 20 update this review accordingly. Additionally, like all health-related content on this website, this guide was thoroughly vetted for accuracy by one or more members of our Medical Review Board. There is a wide variety of female arousal pills, gels, creams, and other products on the market.

Consider Your Preferred Form

With some containing less-than-safe ingredients, it’s important to know which libido-support products for women are safe and effective. We also evaluated these products based on how burdensome (or not) the cost may be and how convenient they are to acquire and use. Unlike the sketchy “instant female arousal pill” products on the market, our top picks overwhelmingly rely on safe ingredients. Our choice for the best over-the-counter (OTC) pill, VitaFLUX, only uses five active ingredients: L-arginine, L-citrulline, L-carnitine tartrate, magnesium, and zinc. These amino acids and minerals should be safe for most people to take.

Understand Your Needs

However, there are some instances where an alternative might be better for you. For example, taking L-arginine could trigger a herpes flare-up (both HSV-1 and HSV-2), and L-carnitine may interact with certain thyroid medications.3 4 So, as always, we recommend consulting your doctor before starting a supplement to ensure it’s safe for you. Overall, though, the ingredients in VitaFLUX don’t pose much of a risk for most people. HerSolution pills, on the other hand, have one ingredient that we’re not thrilled by the inclusion of — dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Even though HerSolution’s 25mg dose of DHEA technically puts it in the “possibly safe” category, it still has the potential to interact with a multitude of mental health prescriptions, and it may worsen psychiatric disorders (among other adverse effects).5 6 This doesn’t mean that HerSolution is unsafe when used as directed, but it does make it a riskier choice than alternatives without DHEA, like VitaFLUX. Insider Tip: Based on our research, individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding would be safest using a non-prescription OTC arousal gel, like Jolt Gel or HerSolution Gel. The ingredients in the supplements and the drugs in our prescription picks may harm your baby.

Episode Transcript

And all pill options mentioned in this guide, including Cake’s Libido Lift Rx and Drive For Her, may not be ideal for those on blood pressure medications, as nitric oxide has vasodilating effects.63 Cream and Jolt Gel pose fairly low risks for adverse effects. As with VitaFLUX, Jolt Gel has the potential to cause a herpes flare-up due to its L-arginine content (which is the case with HerSolution Gel, too).3 And OMG! Cream may cause some minor side effects, like skin itching or irritation. Insider Tip: Based on our research, individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding would be safest using a non-prescription OTC arousal gel, like Jolt Gel or HerSolution Gel. The ingredients in the supplements and the drugs in our prescription picks may harm your baby.

What can quickly increase libido?

For example, the pentoxifylline in Wisp’s OMG! Cream is an FDA Pregnancy Category C ingredient. (This means animal studies found the drug to have an “adverse effect on the fetus.”) Judging the effectiveness of products intended to support female libido poses a bit of a challenge — everyone reacts differently to different treatments. For example, someone may experience fantastic results from HerSolution, while others may say it did absolutely nothing for them. And the same can be said for the topical options or even the prescriptions approved by the FDA for the sole purpose of treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).7 8 Wisp, however, does something for its OMG!

Questions your doctor may ask

Cream that tadalista super active 20 the other companies don’t — customization. As noted on the product’s treatment information guide, OMG! Cream is not a mass-produced product; it’s customized and compounded according to the information you provide to your Wisp doctor. (This is why no dosages are listed on the product page.) Even though this doesn’t guarantee that OMG! Cream will work for everyone, it does mean that the quantity of the active ingredients is tailored to each patient’s specific case. For example, the pentoxifylline in Wisp’s OMG! Cream is an FDA Pregnancy Category C ingredient. (This means animal studies found the drug to have an “adverse effect on the fetus.”) Judging the effectiveness of products intended to support female libido poses a bit of a challenge — everyone reacts differently to different treatments. For example, someone may experience fantastic results from HerSolution, while others may say it did absolutely nothing for them. And the same can be said for the topical options or even the prescriptions approved by the FDA for the sole purpose of treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).7 8 Wisp, however, does something for its OMG!

Medical Treatments for Low Libido

And sildenafil, one of the active ingredients in OMG! Cream (and Cake’s O-Cream Rx), has shown promising results in recent studies as a topical treatment for female sexual dysfunction.9 However, the other products in this guide have ingredients with the potential for positive outcomes, too. For instance, a systematic review of research studies suggests that supplemental oral products containing L-arginine and L-citrulline (such as VitaFLUX) may be beneficial for the treatment of HSDD.10 On average, safe and effective female arousal products will cost you somewhere between $35-$70 per month (or per bottle). But, some products, like VitaFLUX, offer subscription deals that shave a percentage off your cost and automatically send more to you at a specified interval. If you have health insurance coverage, then Vyleesi autoinjectors could be your least expensive choice.

Comparison table

The manufacturer of the drug notes that some insurance plans can bring the cost down to $0. But, for those who are uninsured, you could pay up to $956 for four doses.11 Because of this very wide range of potential prices, we chose the next least-expensive option, Jolt Gel, as our winner for cost. Since it’s an OTC product, each 1oz bottle costs $24 for everyone, and it should get you around 100 or so uses if you adhere to the recommended pea-sized treatment amount. This makes the cost of each treatment only about $0.24. (We appreciate the Unbound customer service team explaining that the company’s estimate of “pea-sized” is .25g worth of gel.) Often, the more convenient a treatment is, the easier it tends to be to integrate into your routine — and the more likely you are to stick with it and potentially see results.

Health News

Convenience can be a very subjective thing, however, and what might be considered the most convenient treatment to you could be the most bothersome one to someone else. We think Cake Meds Libido Lift Rx stands out as a convenient option for a few reasons: It’s a one-pill dose per use Effects should kick in within 30 minutes The pills are actually tablets that dissolve under your tongue (no need to have water on-hand) Hello Cake will send you a new prescription every one, three, or six months until you cancel your subscription Saving money is also convenient, and we can share a coupon code that gets you 10% off of a Cake Meds prescription: INNERBODY10 When it comes to topicals — gels and creams — the idea of being able to apply a product and have it work within the hour (similar to Libido Lift Rx) could perfectly fit your idea of convenience, but others may not like the potentially “messy” aspect of topicals. Jolt Gel can be convenient in its own way as a fast-acting gel, but HerSolution Gel and OMG! Cream both have specific standout qualities that make them runners up here. HerSolution Gel isn’t just an arousal gel, but it also acts as a personal lubricant, which the other two don’t; this could be particularly helpful for people struggling with vaginal dryness as a symptom. Cream that tadalista super active 20 the other companies don’t — customization.

As noted on the product’s treatment information guide, OMG! Cream is not a mass-produced product; it’s customized and compounded according to the information you provide to your Wisp doctor. (This is why no dosages are listed on the product page.) Even though this doesn’t guarantee that OMG!

Health Conditions That Affect Libido—and How to Treat Them

Cream will work for everyone, it does mean that the quantity of the active ingredients is tailored to each patient’s specific case. And sildenafil, one of the active ingredients in OMG! Cream (and Cake’s O-Cream Rx), has shown promising results in recent studies as a topical treatment for female sexual dysfunction.9 However, the other products in this guide have ingredients with the potential for positive outcomes, too. For instance, a systematic review of research studies suggests that supplemental oral products containing L-arginine and L-citrulline (such as VitaFLUX) may be beneficial for the treatment of HSDD.10 On average, safe and effective female arousal products will cost you somewhere between $35-$70 per month (or per bottle). But, some products, like VitaFLUX, offer subscription deals that shave a percentage off your cost and automatically send more to you at a specified interval. If you have health insurance coverage, then Vyleesi autoinjectors could be your least expensive choice.

The manufacturer of the drug notes that some insurance plans can bring the cost down to $0.

The Takeaway

Vyleesi activates melanocortin receptors, Addyi targets serotonin receptors, but we still don’t have a full understanding of how these medications affect women's sexual desire. For both drugs, the effect is modest at best — these are not magic wands for libido. It’s wrong and confusing to call these drugs "female Viagra." Doctors, women and the public at large are less informed about female sexual function than we all should be. In women and men, sexual function includes libido or interest in sex, sexual arousal (including erection) and orgasm. It would be great if we could find a single treatment to address all aspects of function, but we don’t have one yet.

What Is Female Orgasmic Disorder?

For an ongoing stream of science-driven information about libido and other female sexual function topics, follow WomanLab: The University of Chicago's Program in Integrative Sexual Medicine for Women and Girls with Cancer (PRISM Clinic) is designed to identify, prevent and treat sexual health problems in female cancer patients and survivors.Program in Integrative Sexual Medicine (PRISM) for Women and Girls with Cancer If you’re a woman struggling with low libido or other sexual dysfunction concerns, you’re not alone. Research estimates that 10% of adult women live with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), and other studies report that approximately 40-50% experience at least one distressing sexual symptom in their lives due to the hormone changes of menopause.1 2 These symptoms vary widely from person to person and can manifest both physically and mentally. Since these symptoms can be highly distressing and result in lowered self-esteem or relationship difficulties, you may be looking for the quickest fix possible. But with so many options on the market — a lot of which are from shady companies making impossible promises — how do you know which ones are effective and, most importantly, safe? In this guide to the best female arousal pills and topicals, we give you all the details of our top picks, including safety, effectiveness, cost, discounts, and much more.

Addyi (filbanserin)

If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick summary of our findings. Best over-the-counter pill: Promescent VitaFLUX Best (and fastest) prescription pill: Cake Meds Libido Lift Rx for Her Runner-up OTC pill: Hello Cake Drive For Her Best over-the-counter topical: Unbound Jolt Gel Promescent’s VitaFLUX is a non-prescription alternative that can improve libido, arousal, and natural lubrication in women. This vegan-friendly supplement relies on magnesium, zinc, and three amino acids — all of which research suggests can boost nitric oxide production and improve many symptoms of sexual dysfunction. Promescent offers our readers an exclusive $5 off at checkout when clicking any link on this page. Over the past two decades, Innerbody Research has helped tens of millions of readers make more informed decisions about staying healthy and living healthier lifestyles. But, for those who are uninsured, you could pay up to $956 for four doses.11 Because of this very wide range of potential prices, we chose the next least-expensive option, Jolt Gel, as our winner for cost. Since it’s an OTC product, each 1oz bottle costs $24 for everyone, and it should get you around 100 or so uses if you adhere to the recommended pea-sized treatment amount.

This makes the cost of each treatment only about $0.24.

• Female libido pills with damiana.
• Herbal blends for increasing desire.
• Supplements designed for intimacy boost.
• Natural options for sexual satisfaction.
• Libido pills with passion flower.
• Hormone-balancing herbal capsules.

(We appreciate the Unbound customer service team explaining that the company’s estimate of “pea-sized” is .25g worth of gel.) Often, the more convenient a treatment is, the easier it tends to be to integrate into your routine — and the more likely you are to stick with it and potentially see results. Convenience can be a very subjective thing, however, and what might be considered the most convenient treatment to you could be the most bothersome one to someone else. We think Cake Meds Libido Lift Rx stands out as a convenient option for a few reasons: It’s a one-pill dose per use Effects should kick in within 30 minutes The pills are actually tablets that dissolve under your tongue (no need to have water on-hand) Hello Cake will send you a new prescription every one, three, or six months until you cancel your subscription Saving money is also convenient, and we can share a coupon code that gets you 10% off of a Cake Meds prescription: INNERBODY10 When it comes to topicals — gels and creams — the idea of being able to apply a product and have it work within the hour (similar to Libido Lift Rx) could perfectly fit your idea of convenience, but others may not like the potentially “messy” aspect of topicals. Jolt Gel can be convenient in its own way as a fast-acting gel, but HerSolution Gel and OMG! Cream both have specific standout qualities that make them runners up here. HerSolution Gel isn’t just an arousal gel, but it also acts as a personal lubricant, which the other two don’t; this could be particularly helpful for people struggling with vaginal dryness as a symptom.