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Twitter Reacts To Female Viagra Being Approved
On Tuesday, the FDA voted to approve flibanserin, popularly known as female Viagra, following an 18-6 decision vote in June recommending the approval of the drug, which has been rejected by the federal agency twice in the past. Flibanserin's positive effects on female sexual desire, achieved by influencing neurotransmitters in the brain related to sexuality, was ruled modest compared to its negative side effects of dizziness and nausea, but for women who struggle with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), female Viagra presents a fighting chance, however small, that they otherwise wouldn't have. However, HSDD isn't a well-known disorder, and reactions to female Viagra being approved certainly prove that most people don't even know what it is or what it represents for women everywhere.
Tweets related to the approval of the drug make disappointing attempts at humor and insinuate that female Viagra could easily be replaced with things that attract women according to societal stereotypes — money, attractive male celebrities, etc. This ignorant brand of humor undermines the unfortunate realities faced by women affected by HSDD who are physically incapable of experiencing sexual desire.
Other tweets approach female Viagra with skepticism, considering its side effects and even how it could be used against women like date rape drugs. Some people wonder about why drugs boosting female sexuality are emerging but a cure for cancer has yet to, because yeah, sure, that's totally relevant. Other tweets hilariously predict the usual barrage of sexism that tends to follow victories for women and female sexuality.
Female Viagra Could Easily Be Replaced With...
Attractive Males
Twitter?
Money
Female Viagra, Just For Old Women?
But What About Cancer?!
I highly doubt teams of scientists researching cures for cancer dropped their work to develop female Viagra, so let's all calm down and drop the pitchforks.
Female Viagra Vs. Rape Culture?
Expecting Comedians To Take Advantage Of This
Calling Out Sexism
To be fair, female Viagra is expected to be used primarily by women who suffer from HSDD and are physically incapable of experiencing sexual desire. And the same could be said of men who need Viagra.
