Cialis for Women

by on July 11, 2012

Cialis (tadalafil) is approved for treatment of erectile dysfunction (impotence) and management of symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia in men. In general, it is not indicated for use in women. However, Cialis may be prescribed off-label for women with pulmonary artery hypertension (high blood pressure in the blood vessel that supplies blood to the heart) and Raynaud’s phenomenon (insufficient blood flow to the hand and fingers caused by extreme cold temperature or stress).

Women taking this medication are advised to inform their healthcare provider if they become pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking this medication.

Cialis for Sexual Arousal in Women

The question of whether Cialis can help women with sexual arousal problems remains controversial. At present, there are no available information and well controlled studies to establish whether Cialis can help women who have lost their sexual desire.

Officially, the manufacturer does not claim that Cialis can help women achieve sexual arousal as do men. The manufacturer further stresses that this medication does not help increase sexual desire. Cialis works by preventing the action of the enzyme phosphodiesterase-5 which is responsible for regulating erection. Basically, this mechanism of action is exclusively effective in male physiology. It is not known whether this same enzyme plays a role in female arousal.

A study published in Journal Watch Women’s Health in 2001 has shown that sildenafil (Viagra), a drug belonging to the same class as tadalafil, can probably help women achieve better sexual arousal. However, the study is limited in that it was participated by only a small number of participants (51 women aged 22-38) and all reportedly had normal sexual desire but poor sexual satisfaction. However, in most other studies, sildenafil did not appear to be effective in improving sexual dysfunction.

It is recommended that women who have problems achieving sexual arousal should consult their healthcare provider before taking any medication. Do not take Cialis unless specifically instructed by your healthcare provider.