Female sexual desire and satisfaction are becoming less taboo in women's circles — a real and welcome shift. But as a society, we still have a long way to go. Consider the timeline: we've long had Viagra and Cialis, penile implants, and testosterone replacement for men. Viagra was first approved for erectile dysfunction in 1998. The first medication approved for women with low libido, Addyi, didn't arrive until 2015 — seventeen years later.

1998
Viagra approved for erectile dysfunction in men.
2015
Addyi approved for women with low sexual desire.
17 yrs
The gap women waited for a comparable option.

Where Female Sexual Function Breaks Down

Female sexual disorders center on the sexual response cycle — a lack of desire, arousal, or orgasm, or pain during intercourse. Hormones, or a decline in them, can affect every one of these. But desire specifically is also regulated by neurotransmitters in the brain — and by the inhibitory signals that can dampen them. That's why low desire isn't always a hormone problem alone, and why it responds to more than one kind of treatment.

The Real Options — Hormonal and Not

The good news: there's more than one path, and the right one depends on what's actually driving the change for you.

Non-Hormonal · Prescription
Addyi (flibanserin)
For low desire, Addyi is a non-hormonal option that works on the brain — helping rebalance excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters rather than adjusting hormones.
Hormonal
Low-Dose Testosterone
Low-dose testosterone creams have been shown to be effective for many women — testosterone is a key, and frequently overlooked, driver of female desire.
Compounded
Blood-Flow Formulations
Compounding pharmacies can create individualized formulations designed to increase blood flow to vaginal tissue — the same principle behind medications like Viagra, applied to female arousal.
Everyday Tools
Aids & Comfort
Vibrators, vaginal dilators, and the right lubricants and moisturizers can all meaningfully enhance comfort, arousal, and satisfaction — often alongside the options above.

Embrace your inner goddess — have the best sex life you want, and feel and look your best doing it.

Xena Health

Let's Talk About Sex

At Xena Health, we work to normalize the conversation — about women's sex lives, about what's happening (or not) in the bedroom, and about what you actually need. We want you to have the best sex of your life, and we're here to listen and help you get there, in whatever way makes sense for you. No judgment, no rushing, no "that's just how it is after a certain age."

Sexual Wellness at Xena
Ready to Have the Best Sex of Your Life?

Explore our sexual wellness services, or book a confidential consultation to talk through what's going on and what could help. In-person in Henderson, NV, with telehealth across Nevada, Arizona, and Utah.

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