health
March 8, 2026
‘A very paternalistic attitude’: why is female desire still not taken seriously?
In documentary The Pink Pill, the fight to provide access to the so-called ‘female Viagra’ exposes an industry that still discounts the needs of women
TL;DR
- The documentary 'The Pink Pill' explores the challenges in making flibanserin, also known as 'Addyi' or 'female Viagra,' accessible for women with low libido.
- Originally developed as an antidepressant, flibanserin targets neurotransmitters in the brain to address Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD).
- The drug faced significant regulatory obstacles and criticism, including questions about its necessity and side effects, contrasted with the quicker acceptance of Viagra for men.
- Critics point to a paternalistic attitude and a double standard in the medical and regulatory approach to female sexual dysfunction compared to male sexual dysfunction.
- Despite initial approval in 2015, issues with pricing, a black box warning, and prescription requirements limited its use, leading to its withdrawal and subsequent repurchase by its original entrepreneur.
- The film argues that the fight for Addyi's accessibility is part of a larger battle for women's bodily autonomy and choice, connecting it to broader reproductive rights issues.
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