What Toronto’s sexperts have to say about Addyi
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s decision Tuesday to approve the so-called female Viagra pill led to a wave of mixed reactions from women, health professionals and sexperts. Some say it levels the playing field for women and treatment of sexual problems; others argue it’s a step backward for understanding women’s sexuality. The Star asked three sex-saavy Torontonians for reaction to Addyi. Monica Heisey, comedian, writer and author of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Better: A Woman’s Guide to Coping With Life Heisey said she thinks it’s “crazy” that the drug wasn’t already available to women. “
It’s wrong to promote the image that only men want to have sex into their old age. Women do too! Women you know! Possibly your mom!” She imagines the drug’s marketing campaign as: “You’ve got to celebrate that 69th birthday somehow.”
Jack Lamon, a worker-owner with Come as You Are Co-operative Although there is something “a little bit equalizing” about approval of a so-called women’s Viagra pill, Lamon said he is “extraordinarily skeptical” of the medicalization of sexuality. “There are definitely folks who have diagnosable medical conditions, but I also think that for the most part, women who might identify as having, say, orgasm dysfunction, probably have nothing of the sort and just aren’t receiving enough stimulation.”
Cynthia Loyst, co-host of The Social, advocate for healthy sexual information “It’s a big win for big pharma, isn’t it,” Loyst said. She said she’s concerned about the pill’s side-effects — including dizziness, sleepiness, nausea — and is not convinced studies prove its efficacy. “I would much rather spend my money on sex toys and great erotica and lubes and meditation and yoga and meditation and therapy.” If nothing else, flibanserin could be great fodder for an Amy Schumer spoof.
Carlyle Jansen, sex coach and educator at Good For Her, author of Sex Yourself: The Woman’s Guide to Mastering Masturbation and Achieving Powerful Orgasms “We’re comparing ourselves to men, as though men are the benchmark,” Jansen said, noting women should experiment with what gets them in the mood first. “Start with a kiss and go from there."