Can A Woman Take Viagra And What Happens If They Do?

Since its release, millions of adult men across the world have benefited from Viagra. Today the prescription medication, which was originally trialled as a treatment for high blood pressure and angina, is licensed to support men with erectile dysfunction. [1]

But what about women? The vast majority (82%) of female partners believe that erectile dysfunction shouldn't be treated as a taboo. However studies into female sexual dysfunction (FSD) have, historically, lagged behind those of men. [2]

Fortunately today, as research into women's sexual health gains traction, we're developing a better understanding of the issue. Findings from a recent study, believed to be the largest of its kind, suggest that almost 50% of women in midlife have poor sexual wellbeing. [3] Of those surveyed, 1 in 4 had a sexual dysfunction, with low sexual desire and impaired sexual arousal among the most common issues reported. [3]

So, could Viagra be used to boost sexual desire in women too? And what happens if a woman takes this treatment?

Article Summary:

• Viagra is a prescription medication which is licensed to help men with erectile dysfunction.
• In the UK, Viagra is only licensed as a treatment for erectile dysfunction in men and should not be taken by women.
• There's no conclusive evidence that Viagra works for women. In fact, it could cause undesirable side effects.

How does Viagra work?

Viagra contains the active ingredient sildenafil, which is also available in generic form. It works by causing the smooth muscles that surround blood vessels in the body to relax. When this happens, there’s more space for the blood vessels to enlarge and increase blood flow to the penis. This is what normally happens when a man experiences sexual arousal, and this is how Viagra helps those who experience erectile dysfunction to achieve an erection during sexual stimulation.

Does Viagra work for women?

Some might think that Viagra could boost sexual desire and pleasure in women by increasing genital blood flow, just like it does in men. However, research on Viagra to treat female sexual dysfunction is inconsistent and has not found significant evidence that it works or increases sexual satisfaction. [4]

While Viagra aids erections in men by increasing penile blood flow, trials in women have failed to show it meaningfully improves female sexual response, arousal or lubrication. The theory that Viagra could reduce sexual dysfunction and enhance female sexual experience through similar mechanisms as men has not been backed up by large-scale clinical studies to date.

What happens if a woman takes male Viagra?

Like any drug, Viagra can lead to side effects regardless of whether it’s taken by a man or a woman. Common side effects include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Visual disturbances
• Nasal congestion
• Nausea
• Indigestion
• Flushed skin

If you experience any of these severe side effects, you should seek urgent medical attention:

• Chest pain
• Loss of vision
• Sudden hearing loss
• Fast heart rate
• High or low blood pressure
• Severe allergic reaction

The limited amount of trials that exist consistently report side effects similar to those in men. However, medium- and long-term risks (>12 weeks) remain understudied due to limited trial durations and lack of approval for female use.

Can women try Viagra?

In the UK, Viagra is only licensed as a treatment for erectile dysfunction in men and should not be taken by women. There's no conclusive evidence that Viagra could help with female sexual dysfunction (FSD), improve sexual arousal or support their sexual health. In fact, it could cause undesirable side effects.

If you're experiencing low sexual desire and want to do something to improve it, it's best to discuss your options with your healthcare provider. For example, some studies have shown that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can improve libido for those experiencing the menopause. [5] However, the health risks may outweigh the benefits and any medical decisions should be made in consultation with a doctor.

Find out which options may be suitable for you after completing a short online consultation with MedExpress.

References

1. Anderson LA. Viagra: How a Little Blue Pill Changed the World [Internet]. Drugs.com. 2023. Available from: https://www.drugs.com/article/viagra-little-blue-pill.html
2. Berman JR, Berman L, Goldstein I. Female sexual dysfunction: incidence, pathophysiology, evaluation, and treatment options. Urology. 1999 Sep;54(3):385–91.
3. Wang Y, Islam RM, Bond M, Skiba MA, Davis SR. Sexual dysfunction in women at midlife: a cross-sectional study of data from the Australian Women’s Midlife Years study. The Lancet Obstetrics Gynaecology & Women's Health. 2025 Nov 1;1(3):e198–208.
4. Basson R, McInnes R, Smith MD, Hodgson G, Koppiker N. Efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate in women with sexual dysfunction associated with female sexual arousal disorder. J Womens Health Gend Based Med. 2002 May;11(4):367-77. doi: 10.1089/152460902317586001. PMID: 12150499.
5. Yes, you can have better sex in midlife and in the years beyond [Internet]. Harvard Health. 2017. Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/yes-you-can-have-better-sex-in-midlife-and-in-the-years-beyond