Women's Sexual Health and Relationships

There's a little pink pill on the market that has significantly improved the lives of women struggling with low sex drive: Addyi. This FDA-approved prescription medication, unlike the male Viagra, works in women’s brains rather than their bodies. It's designed to be taken daily, not just before sexual activity, and has been particularly beneficial for women experiencing hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).

Debra Dillo's Journey with Addyi

Debra Dillo, 58, from Garner, North Carolina, shares her transformative experience with Addyi. Debra, a business owner and mother of four boys, first learned about the medication through Cindy Eckert, owner and CEO of Sprout Pharmaceuticals, the company behind Addyi. After a telehealth appointment, Debra was prescribed Addyi and began taking it four months ago. Within two weeks, she noticed a positive change in her sexual relationship with her husband of 27 years, Todd.

The Impact of Addyi

Debra recounts how menopause symptoms, including decreased estrogen, bad headaches, and insomnia, began affecting her life around the age of 48. While hormone replacement therapy helped some symptoms, it didn’t address everything. Debra's determination to maintain her physical and mental health led her to try Addyi, which she affectionately calls her "happy pill."

She describes waking up after sleeping all night and feeling genuinely happy and energetic. Before Addyi, she often felt too tired to enjoy weekends. Now, she’s more active and in a great mood, contributing to an enhanced sex life. "I feel more like my 30-year-old self than I do a 58-year-old self! My brain is telling me I'm 30 and my body's feeling that way too. It cooperates. It does all the things it did when I was 30."

Debra highlights how aging affects sexual desire and function, making it harder to climax and feel in the mood. Addyi has revitalized her sexual relationship with Todd, making intimacy more frequent and passionate. "Intimacy is quite a bit more frequent these days — a couple of years ago it was maybe once every two weeks, but now it can be up to three times a week. And I go at it with a lot more gusto."

Todd's Perspective

Todd, Debra's husband, initially questioned the need for Addyi but soon noticed the positive changes. "Based on the initial description of it, you think that it's going to be like an actual Viagra thing and she's going to be running around all horny all the time. That didn't happen. But I definitely noticed a better mood, which is probably from better sleep."

The improved mood led to more opportunities for intimacy, with Debra initiating more and showing increased passion. Todd appreciates the mental and physical changes in Debra, noting that "The positive change in Deb's mental health has made a big impact. I’m very welcoming of that."

The Broader Context of Addyi

Cindy Eckert, CEO of Sprout Pharmaceuticals, emphasizes the societal undervaluing of women's sexual satisfaction compared to men. "When Viagra was approved for men's most common sexual dysfunction, it received rare fast track status and was FDA approved within six months. Addyi took six years! It tells you how little we value pleasure for women."

Addyi's journey reflects a broader struggle for recognizing and addressing women's sexual health needs. The drug has proven effective for HSDD, and while not specifically intended for menopausal women, it can be prescribed to any appropriate patient. Eckert underscores the importance of shifting the narrative to prioritize women's pleasure and sexual health.

Conclusion

Debra Dillo's experience with Addyi highlights the potential of this medication to improve women's sexual health and overall well-being. By addressing both physical and mental aspects of sexual dysfunction, Addyi offers a new avenue for women seeking to enhance their intimate lives. As awareness and acceptance grow, more women may benefit from this groundbreaking treatment.