I tried the new sex pill for women dubbed ‘female Viagra’ – here’s how it spiced up my sex life

A North Carolina woman says her sex life has changed thanks to a little-known drug called “female Viagra.”

Debra Dillo, 58, suffered from hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD or low libido) for 10 years, which severely strained her intimate relationship with her husband, Todd.

After years of hormone replacement therapy to correct her low estrogen, in the hopes that it would also improve her sexual desire, she was prescribed Addyi, a once-daily pill that balances the brain chemicals responsible for undermining libido, both before and after menopause.

The drug was approved in 2015, but few women have heard of it.

“I call it my happy pill,” she said, adding that she’s been much more “in the mood” since starting the medication: “I wake up in the mood. I walk around during the day and I’m in the mood. And I generally don’t say no when he initiates it.”

Ms. Dillo started taking Addyi four months ago and immediately noticed an improvement in her mood and also a desire for intimacy. She calls it her ‘happiness pill’

Ms. Dillo, an entrepreneur, feels more like her 30-year-old self than her 58-year-old self. Ten years ago, her estrogen levels began to drop, so she started hormone replacement therapy, thinking that a better sex life would be a welcome side effect.

But it didn’t restore the libido she had in her younger years. A chance mention of the drug by a friend who owned the pharmaceutical company that developed Addyi piqued Mrs. Dillo’s interest.

Addyi is approved for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSSD), a disorder defined as a lack of interest in sex that can occur in both men and women.

The exact mechanism by which the drug works is not entirely clear. But it dampens the activity of serotonin, the mood-regulating neurotransmitter that has also been shown to reduce sexual drive.

While Addyi lowers serotonin levels, it increases dopamine and norepinephrine levels. These substances help regulate mood, increase arousal, and enhance sexual interest.

And by improving mood, which has a strong influence on sexual desire, the drug can create a better mindset for sexual activity.

Women who use the drug also report that they can experience very intense, satisfying orgasms.

She said People: ‘As the body ages, it doesn’t cooperate as well when it comes to sex. Things don’t work as great as they used to. It’s harder to reach climax. It’s just a little bit more work… And I loved my husband, loved my life, and loved my sex life. But aging had taken its toll on me mentally.’

Within two weeks of taking Addyi, Mrs. Dillo’s sleep quality did a 180-degree turn. She was sleeping through the night and waking up happy and excited for the day, which her husband Todd said created more opportunities for “coupling stuff.”

Ms Dillo added: ‘Nowadays I’m in such a good mood that I look at my husband – I mean, I’m very attracted to him – and then of course the wheels start turning again, and my body just cooperates much better.

‘Intimacy is a lot more frequent these days — a few years ago it might have been once every two weeks, but now it can be three times a week. And I do it with a lot more enthusiasm.’

Mr. Dillo said moments of intimacy throughout the day, such as sneaky glances or flirtatious comments, are now much more frequent

The non-hormonal pill balances the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine, which can lead to lower libido and decreased serotonin levels, which are known to affect a person’s libido.

Sex is talked about more often and more openly. Debra is less distracted and more engaged. Todd added that they work small, intimate moments into their days, like little eye-lifts or comments.

Mr. Dillo, 53, said: “For example, we’ll come home from work, and I’ll get in the shower and she’ll come in and make a few comments, which wouldn’t happen before. She’s also initiating more.

“The difference I have noticed is not only physical, but also mental. The positive change in Deb’s mental health has had a huge impact. I am very happy about that.”

Mrs. Dillo and her husband of 27 years live full lives with their four sons. Mr. Dillo, a stay-at-home dad, volunteers at the boys’ schools and coaches their traveling sports.

Mrs. Dillo is meanwhile busy running her construction and plumbing company.

She said, “It was crazy, but it was fun.”

“We’ve had a great marriage. We’ve had some tough times, because marriage is hard and it takes a lot of work, but we were both committed to this beautiful family and this wonderful life, and we both worked hard at it.”

Mr Dillo added that his wife’s “happiness pill” has been “a wonderful addition to our relationship”.