Around 30% to 40% of women have sexual dysfunction.
Lack of desire is a typical complaint.
This is followed by arousal problems, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain problems.
Women with sexual arousal disorder have little or no interest in sex, making it difficult to respond to sexual stimulation. (1)
Blood flow disorders can affect vaginal lubrication, forcing the vagina to be too dry and feel uncomfortable during intercourse.
Since many men use sexual arousal pills, there has also been a growing interest in female enhancement pills.
One of the most popular products on the market is Cialis.
This drug enhances blood flow to the penis after sexual stimulation. It helps men maintain a hard erection sufficient for sexual penetration.
The question is, can women take Cialis? Is there a Cialis for women?
The guide below can answer all your queries about finding the right sexual enhancer for women.
What is Cialis?
Cialis (tadalafil) is a PDE5 inhibitor and a mainstay for ED treatment. Other PDE5 inhibitors used as erectile dysfunction treatments include sildenafil (Viagra), avanafil (Stendra), and vardenafil (Levitra).
Cialis is the go-to choice for treating sexual function problems like erectile dysfunction or impotence (2). Cialis allows more blood to flow into the penis, which can help men achieve and keep an erection. Users can take the product before sexual activity once a day with or without food.
For Cialis to work, the user has to be sexually stimulated. When you are turned on, the body experiences emotional and physical changes. The penis gets erect and engorged, while the vagina gets sensitive and experiences better wetness.
Can women take Cialis?
Cialis is not approved for treating sexual dysfunction in women. There is not enough evidence that suggests these pills could be effective for females. More research is necessary to determine the safety and efficacy of Cialis for women.
Does Cialis work on females?
According to reviews, PDE5 inhibitors such as tadalafil, sildenafil, and vardenafil have revolutionized ED treatments. But, only a couple of successes were recorded for using these products to treat sexual arousal problems in women. (3)
The reason why these enhancement pills lack efficacy for treating women is most likely because of gender differences. This is based on the differences between psychological and physiological components of sexual response. So, a pharmacological treatment alone may not be enough to achieve the desired result.
But, some evidence suggests that PDE5 inhibitors might be useful for some women with genital arousal disorder. Cialis for women might offer a therapeutic benefit in selected female patients with orgasm and sexual arousal disorders with normal values of testosterone. (4)
What happens when a female takes Cialis?
Cialis in women can increase circulation to the clitoris and facilitate a sexual response mechanism. This effect can lead to a clitoris engorged with blood.
Some people who take this medication can experience tingling or pounding sensations. But, for the vagina to contract and lubricate, sexual stimulation is still necessary.
On that note, Cialis can’t affect a woman’s desire for sex. Since this product is a vasodilator, women should expect their blood pressure to drop.
Other side effects of Cialis include upset stomach, face flushing, headaches, and dizziness. If you are a woman and are considering taking Cialis, talk to a doctor first. Tadalafil is not licensed for women and could be dangerous for your health.
Is there a Cialis for women?
Sexual response in women is a complex process. Sexual problems, like orgasm disorders, can interfere with desire and arousal. Given the high success rate of Cialis for men, there has been a growing need for sexual pills for women.
Two FDA-approved medications are available for women with sexual concerns.
These are:
- Flibanserin (Addyi)
- Bremelanotide (Vyleesi)
Addyi is a female arousal pill that was originally meant to be used as an antidepressant. It can also be a viable option for treating low sexual desire in premenopausal women. This medication for female libido can improve sex drive for women who find the intimate experience distressing.
But, just like any other sexual enhancement for women, this can cause side effects. Side effects of Addyi include fainting, dizziness, and reduced blood pressure.
It’s best to avoid mixing these female sexual arousal pills with alcohol, as alcohol intake can increase the odds of serious side effects.
Another alternative to female Cialis is Vyleesi. This is an injectable medication for treating low sexual desire in premenopausal women.
Users inject it in the abdomen or thigh roughly 45 minutes before sex. Women shouldn’t use it more than once a day or over 8 times a month.
The potential adverse reactions from this stimulant for women are vomiting, headaches, nausea, and skin reactions. Talk to a healthcare provider to find the right prescription drugs for you.
Are there any natural Cialis alternatives for women?
By opting for natural products, you can reduce the odds of serious side effects. Many factors can hinder a woman’s sex drive. What you use will vary based on what’s causing the problem.
For example:
- Daily or chronic stress can decrease a woman’s desire for sex. Ashwagandha extract can be beneficial for reducing stress and anxiety, research shows. (5)
- Vaginal dryness can make sex painful and very uncomfortable. Over-the-counter products like vitamin D, vitamin E, fish oil, sea buckthorn oil, DHEA, and hyaluronic acid can increase vaginal lubrication.
- Chronic conditions like multiple sclerosis or diabetes can affect a woman’s sexual response cycle. These health problems can cause changes in orgasmic or arousal response. Ginger extract can have promising preventive compounds against chronic diseases like heart conditions and hypertension. Ginger is also a good anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral agent. It can have anti-nausea properties. Reports indicate that increasing the ginger intake by 1 g a day with a proper diet could offer these preventive qualities. While cinnamon can have a beneficial impact on fasting plasma glucose and triglycerides in people with type 2 diabetes. (6) (7)
- Relationship troubles are another reason for the highs and lows in sexual desire. Going through a recent breakup, conflict, or major life change, like menopause or pregnancy, can get in the way of enjoying sex. Using flaxseed for 3 months might help decrease menopausal symptoms and improve quality of life. (8)
- Poor mental health and past experiences can also affect a woman’s libido. When folate and vitamin B12 over-the-counter supplements are combined, they can improve dopamine and serotonin production. These over-the-counter products can help women keep a good mental state.
Before using any sexual stimulants for females, talk to a specialist. Your GP can help you find the best medicine for female excitement. And inform you about the possible side effects.
A sex therapist can help people with different sexual problems like inability or painful penetration, trouble achieving an orgasm, or low desire.
Counseling can also allow you to find the factors that cause you problems. This can then help you to effectively deal with the behavioral, psychological, situational, and interpersonal causes of these difficulties.
Lifestyle Changes
If you want to avoid female stimulation pills, then a healthy lifestyle can be a practical way of overcoming low libido.
Exercise
Exercise can be highly beneficial. Physical activity enhances sexual function in depressed women who are not using medication. (9)
In women with diagnosable sexual dysfunction, 30 minutes of vigorous physical activity 3 times a week can offer clinically relevant benefits for sexual function and desire. Regular exercise can improve the mind-body connection, keep you energized, and improve your mood.
Kegel exercises are a great way to start. They can improve your sexual enjoyment and endurance. But, most importantly, they stimulate blood flow to the vagina, and pelvic floor, which is critical for improving vaginal lubrication and arousal.
Yoga is another complementary therapy that can help. Research shows that yoga can be an effective method for improving every domain of sexual function in older women. With yoga, you can work on your abdominal core muscles, pelvic floor strength, balance, digestion, and mood. (10)
Diet
When working on your sexual health, be sure to include some healthy foods with aphrodisiac properties. Some of the most popular ones are oysters, salmon, strawberries, seeds, nuts, apples, and beets. Other aspects of a woman’s lifestyle can affect sexual function.
Studies indicate that women who follow a Mediterranean diet have the lowest prevalence of sexual dysfunction.
Also, smoking is seen as an independent risk factor for women’s sexual dysfunction. That’s because smoking can harm sexual arousal responses.
You should also consider changing your drinking habits. Heavy drinking can interfere with the signals between the genitals and the brain. It can affect your ability to feel sexual stimulation.
Therefore, some women might find it difficult to achieve an orgasm. Or their orgasm may not have the intensity that they are hoping for. Drinking too much for a very long time can also cause a lower libido.
Mindfulness
Lastly, you can use mindfulness. By being mindful, women can become more in tune with their bodies and accept their limitations.
Mindfulness is also a great way to achieve calmness and curb stress and depression. For women whose mental health might be getting in the way, mindfulness can help them enjoy sex more. Mindful meditation can set you on the right track.
Conclusion
Cialis is not an approved sexual stimulant for women. Although Cialis can benefit some women with sexual arousal and orgasm disorders, more research is necessary to study its full impact.
Women can use an alternative instead, such as Addyi or Vyleesi. Addyi is a female-stimulating pill, while Vyleesi is an injectable.
If you are not a fan of medications, you can use a natural female sexual enhancer to get the desired effect, such as ashwagandha extract, aphrodisiac foods, exercise, etc.
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