Addyi: What Happens When Medicine Tries to Treat Desire

Addyi was marketed as a breakthrough. But is one additional satisfying sexual experience per month, on average, worth abstaining from alcohol and accepting the risk of meaningful side effects? That question sits at the center of a drug that genuinely helps some people, while confusing and disappointing many others.

In this episode, we break down what Addyi actually is, what the clinical trials showed, why FDA approval was so controversial, and who this medication may or may not make sense for in real world practice. We also explore why treating desire pharmacologically is far more complicated than treating erections, and why comparisons to Viagra have always fallen short.

If you have ever wondered why Addyi inspires both hope and skepticism, this episode explains why.