Pink 'female viagra' facts you should know

Sprout Pharmaceuticals from Raleigh, North Carolina is making the headlines today because the first ever female viagra might finally get its approval from the US Food and Drug Administration this week.

History of Women's Libido Enhancement

Washington Post writes that the pink pill has been the subject of controversy since its first introduction in 2009. The earliest attempt to enhance the sexual libido of women has been in 1964, when Reid-Provident Laboratories introduces Estratest. It has never been approved by the FDA that is why in 2010, a judge has imposed a $16.5-million settlement against the company for false advertisement.

Many studies have tried to explain the need for sexual libido enhancement among women. In 1980, Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder or HSDD has been included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM IV). It is a mental disorder that can cause distress due to the lack of desire for sex. All of these happened even before Viagra is born in 1991.

USA Today adds that the history of Flibanserin, originally marked by Boehringer Ingelheim as an antidepressant treatment, has not been a smooth ride as well because it has been rejected thrice, once in 2009 under the name Girosa, then in 2010 under Boehringer Ingelheim, and lastly in 2013. But, it seems that Sprout Pharmaceutical, who acquired the rights for the drug in 2011, is determined to make the viagra for women happen.

What is Flibanserin and why is it controversial?

ABC News reports that Flibanserin will aim to treat HSDD, which affects about one in ten women, and causes brain chemicals to increase its production to get a balance for sexual desire. The controversial pill has faced backlash from critics, stating that the harmful effects outweigh the benefits which includes low blood pressure, dizziness, nausea and fainting. In case it gets the green light, the pill will not be advertised in commercial for the first 18 months to avoid misuse from consumers.

Earlier this June, a panel forming the advisory team of FDA has voted 18-6 in favor of Flibanserin, a move most critics state is due to the polically-charged atmosphere during the hearing, MM&M writes. Because of this, 200 health experts have signed a petition to abolish the approval of the drug because it can endanger the health of women. 

Incidentally, Philly cites that most experts, like psychotherapist Keesha Ewers, the founder and chief medical officer at the Functional Sexology Institute, claimed the drug is not very effective. Based on clinical trials, there is only one increase in satisfying sexual act per month and the drug doesn't increase a woman's libido. Ewers believed that comparing the female and male viagra to each other is wrong because they are not made to do the same thing.