Controversial pleasure pill for women receives US approval

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It was a tough struggle: For the first time, a libido-enhancing drug for women was approved in the USA. But the pink pills are highly controversial. And so the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the US national agency for drug approval and food safety, only approved approval at the third attempt. This is what the New York Times reports in its current issue.

Unlike potency pills for men, "Addyi", the name of the preparation, does not primarily affect the physical functions, but rather the psyche. The active ingredient flibanserin was originally developed as an antidepressant. It lowers the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain and promotes dopamine, which increases libido. From October the prescription drug is now to come on the market in the USA.

Campaigns for women's libido

With the approval, the FDA has bowed to the pressure of a campaign that has long been calling for pleasure-enhancing medication for women with libido disorders. "This is the biggest breakthrough in women's sexual health since the pill," believes Sally Greenberg, director of the National Consumers League, who campaigned for Addyi.

Artificially promoted disease perception?

Many experts, on the other hand, rate the pink tablet much more critically.Above all, they point out that, especially in women, listlessness is often not based on a pathological disorder, but on psychological factors such as stress, insecurity and problems in the partnership. The critics now fear that in the course of the approval, a lack of sexual interest will be artificially stylized as a disease.

Serious side effects

In addition, the drug has side effects. Among other things, fatigue, dizziness and low blood pressure occur, especially in combination with alcohol and some medications, the pleasure pill must not be taken.

Another disadvantage: unlike the blue erection aids for men, the pink pill is not swallowed when needed - daily intake is necessary for it to work. However, the effectiveness is not guaranteed: In one study, women who received the active ingredient had sexual intercourse 4.4 times a month on average. Women who received a placebo experienced good sex 3.7 times. Before the start of the study, it was an average of 2.7 times in both groups. Doctors estimate that “Pink Viagra” can actually help only one in ten women with a reduced libido.

Sold patent

The active ingredient Flibanserin was originally developed by the German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim. After the first rejection by the FDA, the pharmaceutical giant sold the patent to the US company Sprout Pharmaceuticals. He could now make a billion dollar business with it. It is uncertain whether the decision in the USA will also open the doors to approval in Germany.

Sexual aversion is a problem for many women. It can be perceived as a loss of quality of life, often gnaws at one's self-esteem or puts a strain on the relationship. However, some women experience it as unproblematic. It is therefore only in need of treatment when the women themselves suffer from their listlessness. So far, the therapy has been based on psychotherapy. (cf)

Source: New York Times online, www.nytimes.com, accessed August 19, 2015

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