FDA Approves Libido-Boosting Pill for Postmenopausal Women

The FDA has expanded approval of Addyi, a once-daily pill for low libido, to include postmenopausal women. Originally approved in 2015 for premenopausal women, Addyi works on brain chemicals related to mood and appetite and addresses hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Despite initial blockbuster expectations, the drug’s adoption has been limited due to side effects like dizziness and nausea, and its boxed warning about alcohol interaction. The approval follows a long lobbying effort and reflects shifting perspectives on women’s sexual health. Sprout Pharmaceuticals, the drug’s maker, views the expansion as a milestone in normalizing treatment options. Critics, however, remain skeptical of medicalizing libido, especially given the complex factors affecting sexual desire after menopause. While not universally accepted, the drug adds another option to the limited pharmaceutical landscape for female sexual dysfunction.

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Source: AP News