Will Viagra for Women Mean More Sex for Moms?

If the Food and Drug Administration panel approves it next month, women would have access to a pill that could help to increase their sexual desire and satisfaction.

The drug, called flibanserin, was initially developed to treat depression, but instead, has been found to boost the female sex drive.

According to research, 10% of women may suffer from HSDD, an unexplained loss of sexual thoughts and desire that can cause emotional problems.

“It’s not that they are averse to sex. It’s just that they don’t care about it. They just stop thinking about it,” Anita H. Clayton, a professor of psychiatry and neurobehavioral sciences at the University of Virginia who has studied the drug for the manufacturer, told The Washington Post. “It’s like a switch has been flipped. It’s a loss for them. They miss it. And they want it back.”

The German drug company that developed flibanserin plans to discuss its findings with the FDA on June 18.

Certainly, the hormonal changes that follow childbirth — not to mention the increased stress and lack of sleep — can put a serious crimp in a woman’s sex life. But, in some cases, becoming parents brings couples closer together in and out of the bedroom.

According to ivillage.com’s recent poll of 2,000 married women ages 18 to 49, 23% said they had sex 1-3 times a month; 21% 21 percent said they have sex more than 10 times monthly. On average, nine percent didn’t have sex at all (perhaps they might benefit from the new drug).

Interestingly, moms were significantly more likely to try something new in bed with their spouse, say they married the “best sex of their lives,” and claim they had better sex after marriage than women without children.

Still, while 77% of women reported being ”somewhat to extremely happy” with their sex life, 63% of them said they would rather sleep, watch a movie or read than have sex with their spouse. Clearly, their sex lives aren’t that satisfying!

“Today’s married women lead such busy lives that they consider rest and relaxation a better self indulgence,” said Liz Zach, Editor, iVillage Pregnancy & Parenting.

Perhaps it’s not just a question of being too busy for intimacy. The study didn’t explore the issue of libido. I wonder how the results might change once the so-called “Viagra for women” is introduced.

How satisfied are you with your sex life? Would you be interested in trying out a female version of Viagra?