Highlights: 

• Vyleesi is a medication taken as needed to combat low sex drive in women.

• Vyleesi has been tested and FDA-approved for premenopausal women.

• Vyleesi is sometimes inaccurately called the “female Viagra.”

• Current reviews and studies of Vyleesi say it can help some women, but results are mixed.

---

Millions of Women suffer from low sex drive, specifically, a condition known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). HSDD is the most common form of female sexual dysfunction. Two drugs have been approved to combat HSDD in women, Addyi and the injectable Vyleesi. Early user reviews of Vyleesi show some effectiveness, but the medication is hardly a cure-all.

“Female Viagra?”

While Vyleesi is often called the “female Viagra,” that label is misleading. Vyleesi does not work like male erectile dysfunction medications, which are designed to improve blood flow to the penis, thus enabling impotent men to get and keep an erection, at least temporarily.

By contrast, bremelanotide, the active ingredient in Vyleesi, targets the possible imbalance in brain chemistry, modifying the actions of neurotransmitters as the best pathway toward increased sexual desire in premenopausal women. The FDA approved Vyleesi in 2019 for younger women suffering from low sexual desire, noting that many women with HSDD suffer from “marked distress,” both mentally and physically, as a result of their low sex drive.

To be clear, Vyleesi is not Viagra for women; it’s designed to improve libido, not physical sexual function.

What Is Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)?

According to the Mayo Clinic, women who suffer from HSDD:

• Suffer from very low libido
• Have reduced responsiveness to erotic cues
• Lack sexual thoughts or fantasies
• Lack sexual desire
• Feel personal distress because of their lack of libido

A woman’s lack of sex drive can be frustrating for both her and her partner, especially when she doesn’t feel as sexy or romantic as she used to. While fluctuations in level of sex drive are normal, a lack of interest in sex can lower a woman’s self esteem and make her partner feel rejected. For some women with a lower-than-desired sex drive, Vyleesi can help.

How Does Vyleesi Work?

Vyleesi works by activating the melanocortin receptors in a woman’s brain. Melanocortin receptors are a family of seven trans-membrane receptors that accept proteins in the brain.

Vyleesi differs from male erectile dysfunction medications in that it focuses on tweaking brain chemistry to increase female sexual desire. Bremelanotide, the active ingredient in Vyleesi, activates internal pathways in the brain that are related to sexual response, according to Palatin Technologies, which developed the drug. Palatin has licensed AMAG Pharmaceuticals to market Vyleesi in North America.

Scientists do not fully understand the mechanism that allows Vyleesi to affect libido, but clinical trials in 2019 of more than one thousand women did show both an increase in sexual desire in some women and a decrease in the distress they felt related to their libido.

Results of Clinical Trials

Clinical trials of Vyleesi through 2022, however, have shown marginal improvements in sexual desire among female study participants.

The 2019 study found only small improvements for some women in the level of sexual desire. 25% of women in the study treated with Vyleesi reported an increase in libido, compared with 17% of the women taking a placebo. This meant that only about 8% of women had increased desire as a result of taking the drug.

A more recent evaluation of the efficacy of Vyleesi and its active ingredient, bremelanotide, came to similar conclusions. This 2022 government review concluded that while Vyleesi is safe and well-tolerated, the “overall clinical benefit appears to be modest.” In other words, Vyleesi may help some women, but it’s certainly not a magic bullet that will cure HSDD in all women.

User Reviews of Vyleesi

This information tracks with Vyleesi’s current user reviews. On drugs.com, Vyleesi has a rating of 7.1 out of 10, with very few reviews (17 ratings). In these reviews and ratings, 59% of the small group of women indicated that they had a positive experience, and 18% reported a negative experience.

While some reviewers stated that Vyleesi didn’t work for them, many others found that it did work but produced intolerable side effects.

Here are some representative samples of the drugs.com reviews from actual users.

Positive Reviews of Vyleesi

• “It works. – I actually WANTED to have fun with my husband instead of being annoyed that he was touching me. – It lasted for almost 3 days – there’s not a definitive time frame that it lasts as everyone is different.” – 10/10

• “I tried Vylessi for the first time last week. I was surprised that I did not feel any nausea at all. I did, however, feel the need to stretch constantly once it kicked in. I read to wait 45 minutes and in reality, it took me personally 1.5 – 2 hours before I felt any effects. Once it kicked in, it was amazing. I had sensations I haven’t felt since I was a teenager. It was worth the endless stretching. It did not keep me awake or put me to sleep as some reviews state. The effects lasted me about 12-18 hours (I woke up and was still feeling tingly down there) I will definitely use it again.” – 10/10

• “I have tried this a few times off and on over the past 1-2 years. Everyone is unique. I do get nauseous and have zero appetite but not enough to keep me from going out. I’ve used it probably 5-6 times and [it] seems to work better and better. I’m 48, been married 27 years and my drive has decreased. This has made for increased and sensitivity. Sex has been really good. I’m not going to use it a ton but, for me, it does work.” – 9/10

• “Really wanted to want it again like we were in our 20s before the stress of kids, money, and work piled up. It worked amazing. I was told a large number of people experience nausea but it was minor.” – 9/10

Negative Reviews of Vyleesi

• “I’ve tried it 4 times. I am not going to order again. My body hurt the next day from all the stretching I felt I needed. It did make me sensitive in my clitoris area almost too much so. But I also got a cough and vomited twice. So I’d say it didn’t work the way I had hoped it would.” – 4/10

• “I took this drug for the first time and I experienced all the side effects listed: stuffy nose, coughing, extreme nausea, flushing/chills, headache, fatigue and [sore] at injection site. The symptoms lasted 8 hours. I took compazine for nausea and finally fell asleep. The next day the nausea was gone but I felt fatigued. I stayed in bed most of the following day. I will never use this drug again. My husband and I could not engage sexually because I was so sick from the side effects.” – 1/10

• “Vyleesi doesn’t work at all, I’m 37 and really no libido and tried it twice it does absolutely nothing. No one has really figured out how to fix a woman’s libido yet.” – 1/10

Mixed Reviews of Vyleesi

• “Works great for low desire but bad side [effect] was globus lump feeling and tickle/tingle in my throat for months then when I quit it all went away.” – 4/10

• “It did work quite well but caused a headache after an hour or so, which subsided after a couple of hours.” – 7/10

• “The big question — does it work? Well first, I need to take this a good 3 to 4 hrs before sex not 20 or 30 mins. Major sensitivity in clitoral area for a good 24 hrs after so be prepared. Did it make me horny? Not really. I also tend to have trouble sleeping when I take this, its weird. Sooo overall I haven’t noticed any real side effects and will likely order again though I’m not sure how I’m going to pay for it.” – 7/10

Options for Women with Low Sex Drive

If you are suffering from a low libido and a low sex drive, you may want to try Vyleesi. Reports and studies show that it is safe, and it may help you.

It’s also worthwhile to remember that there are other choices. Addyi is another medication that has been approved by the FDA for premenopausal women with HSDD. We’ve put together some information on the similarities and differences between these two medications for women who might be considering taking one or the other.

Looking to Improve Your Sexual Health? eDrugstore Can Help

At eDrugstore.com, we are committed to helping men and women live healthy, happy and fulfilled lives. We offer V for Women, a natural supplement designed to increase libido. Visit eDrugstore.com and check out our sexual wellness products for men and women today! 

The post Reviews for New ‘Female Viagra’ Vyleesi Not Great first appeared on Online Prescription Medications.