Female Viagara?
While glossy ads for the herb Avlimil compare it to the prescription drug Viagara, the comparison isn't exactly legitimate.
"It would be wonderful if it were true, but this herb is probably no more effective than snake oil. There may be potential for this product, but the marketing claims have not been scientifically proven," says Virtua board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist Andrea DiGaetano, MD. She goes on to say that Avlimil is not subject to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. And, the product claims are based on a company-sponsored three-month trial of 49 women.
So what about actually using Viagara? "There is proof that in a very small patient population — women with low libido due to medication such as antidepressants — that Viagara is helpful," notes Dr. DiGaetano. But, a person's best chance at reclaiming libido begins with speaking to a physician.