Understanding What Happens if a Woman Takes Viagra?

October 7, 2025 •

5 min read

According to studies, sexual dysfunction may be more common in women than men, affecting up to 43% of women versus 31% of men. With this in mind, many women have wondered: what happens if a woman takes Viagra, a drug developed for male erectile dysfunction?

Quick Summary

Taking Viagra can increase genital blood flow in women, but efficacy for improving desire is mixed. It carries risks, is not FDA-approved for women, and has alternatives for sexual dysfunction.

Key Points

Increases Genital Blood Flow: Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, works similarly in both men and women by increasing blood flow to the genitals, which can lead to increased clitoral sensitivity and lubrication.
No Proven Benefit for Libido: Viagra primarily affects physical arousal, not sexual desire or libido, which is often driven by hormonal and psychological factors in women.
Efficacy is Mixed and Inconsistent: Clinical trials on Viagra for female sexual dysfunction (FSD) have produced mixed results, showing some benefit for specific subgroups, such as those with antidepressant-induced FSD, but not for the general FSD population.
Potential for Side Effects: Women can experience common side effects like headaches, flushing, nasal congestion, and visual disturbances, as well as more serious risks, including dangerous drops in blood pressure, especially with underlying conditions.
Not FDA-Approved for Women: Viagra is not approved by the FDA for use in women, and its long-term safety profile in females is not well-established.
Alternatives are Available: FDA-approved medications like Addyi (flibanserin) and Vyleesi (bremelanotide) specifically target low sexual desire in premenopausal women and work differently than Viagra.
Consult a Doctor Before Use: Due to varying effects and potential risks, a woman should never take Viagra without first consulting a healthcare provider to ensure it's safe and appropriate for her specific health situation.

The Science Behind Sildenafil

Viagra, with its active ingredient sildenafil, belongs to a class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors. In both men and women, PDE5 inhibitors work by relaxing blood vessels and increasing blood flow to specific areas of the body. In men, this increased blood flow to the penis is what helps achieve and maintain an erection. However, the female sexual response is far more complex, involving a combination of neurological, hormonal, and psychological factors, not just genital blood flow. The presence of PDE5 in female genital smooth muscle, including the clitoris and vagina, is what led researchers to investigate its potential for treating female sexual dysfunction (FSD). The concentration of PDE5 is significantly lower in female genital tissue compared to male erectile tissue, which may contribute to the medication's different effects in women.

The Physiological Effects on a Woman's Body

When a woman takes sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, it has the same basic physiological effect as in men: it increases blood flow by relaxing smooth muscles. For women, this means potential increased blood flow to the genitals, including the clitoris, labia, and vagina. This increased blood flow can lead to enhanced clitoral sensitivity and engorgement, as well as increased natural lubrication. Some research suggests this physical response could translate to improved sexual arousal and orgasmic function for certain women, particularly those with a known vascular component to their sexual dysfunction. However, increased blood flow does not address the psychological or hormonal factors central to female sexual desire, which is why the results of clinical trials have been mixed.

Research Findings: Efficacy is Inconsistent

Extensive clinical research has been conducted to determine the effectiveness of sildenafil for female sexual dysfunction (FSD), but the results are far from conclusive. Many early, large-scale studies found no significant benefit of oral sildenafil over a placebo for improving arousal or desire in the general FSD population. However, a more nuanced understanding has emerged over time, suggesting that certain subgroups of women may benefit more than others.

Subgroups who may see some benefit:

Antidepressant-Induced FSD: Several studies, including one published in JAMA in 2008, have shown that sildenafil can help alleviate sexual dysfunction caused by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in premenopausal women. For these women, sildenafil improved orgasm and overall sexual function.
Certain Medical Conditions: Women with female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) secondary to conditions like diabetes or multiple sclerosis have shown modest improvements in some studies. This is thought to be because vascular issues related to these diseases may be a contributing factor to their sexual dysfunction.
Topical Sildenafil: A more recent phase 2b trial in 2024 investigated a topical sildenafil cream for premenopausal women with FSAD. Results indicated that the cream improved arousal sensation, desire, and orgasm for a specific subset of women in the study.

In contrast, sildenafil has consistently shown little to no effect on desire or libido, as its primary action is on blood flow, not brain chemistry.

Potential Risks and Side Effects for Women

Because Viagra was not developed for or extensively tested on women, particularly regarding long-term use, the safety profile in females is not as well-established as it is in men. When prescribed off-label by a healthcare provider, women may experience side effects similar to those seen in men, in addition to potential risks associated with drug interactions.

Common Side Effects: Headaches, flushing (redness of the skin), nasal congestion, nausea, and visual disturbances (e.g., blurred vision, sensitivity to light, or a bluish tint to vision) are common side effects.
Cardiovascular Risks: Sildenafil can cause a drop in blood pressure, which is a particular concern for women who already have low blood pressure or take other blood pressure-lowering medications. Dizziness and fainting are possible.
Serious Side Effects: While rare, severe reactions such as chest pain, sudden vision or hearing loss, and allergic reactions are possible and require immediate medical attention.
Drug Interactions: Combining sildenafil with certain medications, especially nitrates used to treat heart conditions, can cause a dangerous and sudden drop in blood pressure.

Comparison: Viagra vs. FDA-Approved Female Libido Treatments

Viagra is not FDA-approved for women for sexual dysfunction. The FDA has approved other medications specifically designed to address low sexual desire (libido) in premenopausal women, which work on different mechanisms than Viagra. The table below compares oral sildenafil with these approved alternatives.


Feature	Oral Sildenafil (Viagra/Revatio)	Flibanserin (Addyi)	Bremelanotide (Vyleesi)
Mechanism	PDE5 inhibitor; increases blood flow to genitals.	Affects brain neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin to increase sexual desire.	Modulates melanocortin receptors in the brain to influence sexual response.
Administration	Oral tablet, taken as needed before sexual activity.	Oral tablet, taken once daily at bedtime.	Self-administered subcutaneous injection, taken as needed 45 minutes before sexual activity.
Primary Goal	Enhanced physical arousal (blood flow).	Enhanced sexual desire (libido).	Enhanced sexual desire (libido).
Efficacy	Mixed results; potentially effective for certain FSD subsets (e.g., antidepressant-induced), but not for desire.	Modest effectiveness; requires consistent daily use for a period to see results.	Modest effectiveness; effects may vary among individuals.
Key Side Effects	Headache, flushing, visual changes, nasal congestion, nausea, lowered blood pressure.	Dizziness, nausea, tiredness, fainting (especially with alcohol or liver issues).	Nausea, flushing, injection site reaction, headache, vomiting.

Alternatives to Consider for Female Sexual Concerns

For many women, low sexual interest or difficulty with arousal is not a simple fix involving a pill and is better addressed through a holistic approach. It's essential to have a comprehensive discussion with a healthcare provider to explore the underlying causes and determine the most appropriate course of action. Non-medication alternatives include:

Lifestyle Adjustments: Reducing stress, increasing exercise, and improving sleep can all positively impact sexual health and desire.
Psychological and Relationship Counseling: Relationship issues, stress, or body image concerns can significantly impact libido. Counseling or sex therapy can be beneficial for navigating these complex factors.
Hormone Therapy: For postmenopausal women, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may help address issues related to vaginal dryness or decreased libido caused by hormonal shifts.
Pelvic Floor Exercises: Strengthening pelvic floor muscles through exercises like Kegels can increase sensation and improve sexual function.

Conclusion: What Happens if a Woman Takes Viagra?

In summary, if a woman takes Viagra, she may experience increased blood flow to her genitals, leading to enhanced physical arousal and sensitivity. However, the effect on sexual desire (libido) is minimal, and overall efficacy for treating female sexual dysfunction is inconsistent and dependent on the specific cause. Because Viagra is not FDA-approved for use in women, taking it carries potential risks, including side effects like headaches and nausea, and more serious cardiovascular complications, especially when combined with other medications. Safer, FDA-approved treatments like Addyi and Vyleesi exist for specific types of female sexual dysfunction, and non-pharmacological options are also highly effective. Ultimately, a woman experiencing sexual health challenges should consult a healthcare provider to determine the safest and most effective solution based on her unique circumstances.

For further reading on the potential benefits and risks of using Viagra in women, consult the detailed article by Healthline.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Viagra is not designed to increase sexual desire or libido in women. Its mechanism of action focuses on increasing blood flow, which may affect physical arousal, but it does not address the hormonal or psychological factors that primarily influence female libido.

Because sildenafil increases blood flow to the genitals, it may increase natural lubrication for some women. However, this effect is not consistent or reliable, and it was not the intended purpose of the medication.

The long-term safety of Viagra for women has not been well-established, and it is not FDA-approved for female use. While some doctors may prescribe it off-label in specific cases, taking it without medical supervision carries risks, especially related to blood pressure and potential drug interactions.

Common side effects in women include headaches, flushing, nasal congestion, nausea, and visual disturbances, which are similar to those experienced by men.

Yes. For premenopausal women with low sexual desire, medications like Addyi (flibanserin) and Vyleesi (bremelanotide) are FDA-approved. These work differently from Viagra by affecting brain chemistry and desire pathways.

Some studies have shown that sildenafil can help alleviate sexual dysfunction caused by antidepressants in certain women. However, this is considered an off-label use and should only be done under strict medical supervision due to potential risks and interactions.

Viagra focuses on increasing blood flow to treat erectile dysfunction in men. In contrast, FDA-approved medications for women, like Addyi and Vyleesi, target brain neurotransmitters to increase sexual desire, rather than just physical performance.