“Can women take Viagra?” is one of the most searched questions about the little blue pill. The short answer: sildenafil (Viagra) is not approved for women, the research on it in women has been disappointing overall, and the medicines sometimes called “female Viagra” work in a completely different way. Here is what is known.
Is Viagra approved for women?
No. Viagra is approved to treat erectile dysfunction in men, and its US label states plainly that it is not indicated for use in females1. The same is true of tadalafil (Cialis) and the other ED tablets.
What happens if a woman takes Viagra?
Sildenafil works the same way in women as in men: it relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow, including to the genitals. So a woman taking it can get the same side effects. In a large trial in women, the main side effects were headache, flushing, a blocked or runny nose, nausea, changes in vision and indigestion, mostly mild to moderate2.
The same safety rules apply as for men. Never take it with nitrate medicines for chest pain or with “poppers”, because blood pressure can fall dangerously1. There is no information on its effects in pregnancy for this use, and small amounts pass into breast milk1.
Does Viagra work for women?
The research is mixed:
- A large trial of nearly 800 women with arousal problems, both before and after the menopause, found sildenafil did no better than a dummy tablet on any measure of sexual response2.
- A smaller trial in women whose sexual problems were caused by antidepressants found that sildenafil reduced those problems compared with a dummy tablet3.
The researchers behind the large trial concluded that whatever physical effect sildenafil had on the genitals, women did not feel it as an improvement in their sexual response2. Extra blood flow alone does not create desire.
“Female Viagra” is a different medicine
Two medicines are approved in the US for women with low sexual desire. They are often called “female Viagra”, but they do not work like Viagra at all. They act on the brain, although exactly how they help is not known45.
| Flibanserin (Addyi) | Bremelanotide (Vyleesi) | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Tablet, 100 mg every night at bedtime4 | Injection under the skin, at least 45 minutes before sex, when needed5 |
| Who it is for | Women under 65 with long-standing low desire that causes distress4 | Women before the menopause with long-standing low desire that causes distress5 |
| Main cautions | Alcohol can cause a severe drop in blood pressure and fainting; must not be taken with some other medicines4 | No more than one dose in 24 hours or 8 a month; can briefly raise blood pressure5 |
| Common side effects | Dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, tiredness, trouble sleeping4 | Nausea, flushing, injection site reactions, headache, vomiting5 |
Both are approved only for a specific condition called hypoactive sexual desire disorder: low desire that started after a time of normal desire, happens in every situation, causes distress, and is not caused by another medical or mental health condition, relationship problems or a medicine45. Neither is approved to enhance sexual performance45. With flibanserin, treatment should stop after 8 weeks if there is no improvement4.
Alcohol and flibanserin: the label says to wait at least two hours after one or two standard drinks before taking the bedtime dose, and to skip the dose after three or more drinks that evening4.
What to do about sexual problems
- Talk to a doctor or sexual health clinic. Low desire can be caused by other medical or mental health conditions, relationship problems or medicines, which is why the approved treatments are only for women in whom those causes have been ruled out4. The right treatment depends on the cause.
- Check your medicines. The NHS lists sexual problems, including low sex drive, difficulty reaching orgasm and vaginal dryness, among the side effects of antidepressants6. Our guide to medicines that affect sexual function explains more.
- Do not take a partner’s ED tablets. They are not approved for women and do not treat low desire.
We supply flibanserin; see our flibanserin medicines page. It needs a prescription and is only suitable for the specific condition described above.
Flibanserin products we supply include Addyi and Fliban 100 mg. They need a prescription and are only suitable for the specific condition described above.
Frequently asked questions
Can women take Viagra?
It is not approved for women. Studies in women have had mixed results, and it can cause the same side effects as in men. Talk to a doctor about treatments that are approved for women.
What happens if a woman takes Viagra?
It increases blood flow, including to the genitals, and can cause headache, flushing, a blocked nose, nausea, indigestion and vision changes. For most women it does not improve desire or satisfaction.
Is there a female Viagra?
Two medicines, flibanserin (Addyi) and bremelanotide (Vyleesi), are approved in the US for low sexual desire in women. They work on the brain, not on blood flow, and are only for a specific condition.
Can women take Cialis?
Tadalafil is also approved only for men’s conditions, such as erectile dysfunction and an enlarged prostate. Women should not take it for sexual problems unless a specialist advises it.
Can I drink alcohol with Addyi?
Only with care. Wait at least two hours after one or two standard drinks before taking it at bedtime, and skip the dose if you have had three or more drinks that evening.
Sources & references
- US National Library of Medicine, DailyMed. Viagra (sildenafil) prescribing information.
- Basson R, et al. Efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate in women with sexual dysfunction associated with female sexual arousal disorder. J Womens Health Gend Based Med. 2002;11(4):367-377.
- Nurnberg HG, et al. Sildenafil treatment of women with antidepressant-associated sexual dysfunction: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2008;300(4):395-404.
- US National Library of Medicine, DailyMed. Addyi (flibanserin) prescribing information.
- US National Library of Medicine, DailyMed. Vyleesi (bremelanotide) prescribing information.
- NHS. Antidepressants. Page last reviewed 12 June 2025.
Related reading
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Do not take medicines prescribed for someone else. Used as prescribed by a licensed medical professional.
Priya Sharma is a licensed clinical pharmacist with 14 years of experience. She holds a B.Pharm and M.Pharm from Padmashree Dr. D. Y. Patil University. At OnlineMeds, she reviews medicine and health content to help ensure it is accurate, evidence-based, and easy to understand.