Can Women Take Cialis (Tadalafil)?

In recent years, the conversation about sexual wellness has broadened significantly, shedding light on the importance of addressing sexual dysfunction in both men and women.

While the use of medication like Cialis has been well-established among men, its benefits for women’s sexual well-being are gaining attention.

This emerging interest reflects a greater understanding of sexual health, acknowledging the challenges women face in finding the right solutions for sexual dysfunction.

The scarcity of effective options has left many women seeking accurate information and support. As such, understanding the role of Cialis for women becomes not just a matter of curiosity but an important step in empowering women to take charge of their sexual health and satisfaction.

In this blog, we will provide a comprehensive understanding of how the medications commonly used by men, such as Cialis, could offer a promising solution for female sexual dysfunction.

What is Female Sexual Dysfunction?

Healthcare providers define female sexual dysfunction as an issue with one or more of these four areas involving intercourse.

• Desire
• Arousal
• Orgasm
• Pain

While male sexual dysfunction including erectile dysfunction, has been studied widely and effective treatments such as medications like Cialis have been developed to treat these disorders, female sexual dysfunction is more complicated, is not well understood, and is not well researched.

It’s also not routinely discussed with healthcare professionals, as many women are uncomfortable talking about issues they are having with intercourse.

Many health care professionals are not trained adequately to diagnose and manage female sexual dysfunction according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. As a result, they devote inadequate clinical time to addressing female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and underestimate how frequently the problem occurs [1].

What is Cialis?

Cialis is a prescription medicine composed of the active ingredient Tadalafil. Cialis belongs to a class of medications known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors. Medical professionals commonly prescribe Cialis to treat erectile dysfunction in men [2].

The use of Cialis is also approved to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlargement of the prostate).

For ED Cialis works by increasing blood flow to the penis. To get and sustain an erection, blood vessels in the penis need to be widened and filled with blood. When a person has ED, they may have trouble getting enough blood flow to the penis, or their blood vessels may not be widened enough. Cialis addresses both of those problems.

Does Cialis Work for Women?

Currently, there is no Cialis available for women. Regulatory bodies have only approved the medication for men. However, just like there is an off-label indication of Viagra (sildenafil citrate) for women, some healthcare providers may suggest Cialis if you are suffering from female sexual dysfunction.

Similar to the mode of action of Cialis for men, researchers believe that Tadalafil may improve blood flow to the genital area in females. However, as mentioned already, female sexual dysfunction is complex and involves social, psychological, and physical components.

As such, it is not clear if Cialis would address aspects of FSD like arousal, desire, or physical barriers to sexual satisfaction caused by certain medical conditions or aging.

The research on the use of Cialis in women is minimal, with few large-scale studies looking at how this medication affects sexual well-being in women. Here is what we know so far about the use of this ED medication among women.

A study by Feng Wang and colleagues suggests that daily low-dose Tadalafil (Cialis) is a considerably effective and well-tolerated treatment for overactive bladder (OAB) in women. Overactive bladder is a condition characterized by urinary urgency and nocturia, which can significantly affect sexual function in women [3].

In a very small study from 2006, women who take antidepressants and experience sexual side effects, a 20 mg dose of Cialis has the potential to reduce sexual issues [4].

A small study from 2012 found that a daily Cialis dose of 5 mg improved sexual dysfunction in females with type 1 diabetes [5].

A 2017 review by Chiara Borghi et al. of sexual dysfunction treatments in menopausal women speculated that Tadalafil (Cialis) could successfully treat sexual conditions in postmenopausal females.

Although the research on the use of Cialis for women is limited, using this medication for women is certainly of interest, and more research is underway to study the efficacy of using Cialis to treat female sexual dysfunction [6].

Who Shouldn’t take Cialis?

At this time Cialis is only approved for men with erectile dysfunction or an enlarged prostate by the FDA. Its use is not approved for use in children or women [7].

Other groups who should avoid the use of Cialis, as stated by the FDA, include [8].

• People with low blood pressure or certain heart conditions.
• People who take nitrate medications.

Other Treatments For Female Sexual Arousal Disorder

Understanding the main cause of female sexual dysfunction is the key to treating it properly. Often, medical providers who treat female sexual dysfunction take a holistic approach, addressing any psychological concerns, interpersonal issues, as well as medical and physical conditions.

Interpersonal or psychological problems can be addressed through sex therapy or psychotherapy. Couples therapy can also help when it comes to improving communication about sexual desires and preferences. One study, namely Eastern approaches for enhancing women’s sexuality, found that acupuncture, yoga, and mindfulness all have potential therapeutic benefits for FSD [9].

Several medications may help improve the symptoms of FSD, including

• Transdermal testosterone
• Estrogen therapy is usually administered as a cream inserted into the vagina
• Ospemifene for pain during intercourse
• Bupropion is used for individuals who are dealing with sexual side effects of antidepressants.

Women who experience pelvic pain, genital pain, or pain during sexual activities may need to see a medical professional who can offer medical advice, diagnose the problem, and discuss treatment options.

Conclusion

Cialis is approved by regulatory bodies to manage erectile dysfunction in men. But its use is not approved or well-studied in women. Some research shows some possible benefits, but there is not enough evidence to recommend this medication to women.

Female sexual health is complex, and finding the right treatment requires consultation with a qualified doctor.