Viagra medications are used by men for treating erectile dysfunction. It is approved by the FDA. These medicines are recommended for use in males only. Females cannot use Viagra, as it treats erection difficulties, which occur only in males.
For treating the symptoms of sexual dysfunction among females, the FDA has approved two medications – Flibanserin (Addyi) and Bremelanotide (Vyleesi). These medications are also called “female Viagra” just for understanding.
To know the difference between normal Viagra and female Viagra, first, we have to see how these medicines work individually.
Viagra: Mechanism of action
Viagra medications are composed of Sildenafil. It is an active ingredient that boosts blood flow through the penile arteries. An increase in the flow of blood to the penile helps attain stronger erections.
The primary function of Viagra is to inhibit the activity of PDE5 enzymes. These enzymes are present in the smooth muscle cells of the walls of the arteries. They give rise to erectile dysfunction by narrowing the arteries and blocking the supply of blood to the penile arteries.
Viagra suppresses the PDE5 action and triggers the release of Nitric oxide (NO) into the arterial walls. Nitric oxide is a vasodilator chemical that relieves muscle tension and expands narrowed arteries by increasing relaxation.
The relaxation thus triggered allows chambers inside the penile to fill with blood for the penile to attain an erection. The blood vessels then trap the blood inside under high pressure to hold the erections.
Female Viagra: Mechanism of action
Flibanserin and Bremelanotide medications are medications that treat sexual disorders in females. These are considered safe for use by females. These medicines are designed specifically for women in their menopausal or premenopausal age.
Women in these age groups experience the symptoms of sexual dysfunction like orgasmic disorder, lack of sexual arousal, and loss of sexual desire. These sexual problems can be managed with these medicines.
The function of these medicines is to boost the blood circulation in the genitals. In females, the organ that is responsible for causing orgasms is the clitoris. It has thousands of nerve endings that becomes highly sensitive to touch during arousal.
In males, the penile is the organ that attains an erection, which is the response to sexual arousal, while in females, clitoral sensitivity and vaginal lubrication are the indications of sexual arousal.
Female Viagra pills boost circulation in the clitoris. When blood supply increases in the nerve's endings of the clitoris, it swells up and becomes highly sensitive to touch, in turn and vaginal discharge happens. This is how Female Viagra triggers a sexual response among females. It makes the arousal easier.
Viagra Vs Female Viagra
Viagra medications are designed just for men. They are not for women. Their function is to overcome all the difficulties of erection function. They relieve the erection difficulties by enhancing the flow of blood to the penile.
Viagra medications do not produce any effects among females. There is not enough evidence that confirm that Viagra can address sexual problems among females.
Since Viagra is a men-centric medicine, the FDA has approved medicines specific to addressing women’s sex-related problems. They relieve sexual disorders like orgasmic difficulties, low sex drive, and lack of interest in sex. They ease sexual function.
Similarities between Viagra and Female Viagra
Side effects - Female Viagra is suitable for addressing all sexual problems in females. These are approved by the FDA for treating all the problems related to females. Like Viagra, female Viagra medications can also cause some mild side effects.
These side effects might not be experienced by all women, though there is a possibility of its occurrence in some women. Flibanserin and Bremelanotide can give rise to side effects like blood pressure drop, severe dizziness, and fainting.
Alcohol interaction - It is not safe to take both Viagra and female Viagra medicines with alcohol. Their interaction can lead to a dangerous drop in the blood pressure. Sometimes, the decrease in blood pressure can turn life-threatening.
Besides, alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of such medicines and the medicine will fail to produce the desired effects on sexual function.
Viagra alternatives
There are other FDA-approved options for Viagra, including Cialis, Levitra, Stendra. Other than these, Medicines like Malegra can also offer you the same benefits as Viagra. It consists of Sildenafil, which is the same active ingredient that is present in Viagra.
To buy Viagra, one needs a prescription, but Malegra medicines are available without a prescription. These medicines provide the same benefits as Viagra. The only thing is these are available at very cheap costs.