Can a woman take Viagra while breastfeeding?

Can a Woman Take Viagra While Breastfeeding?
The question of whether a woman can take Viagra, particularly while breastfeeding, is complex and requires careful consideration of both the drug’s intended use and its safety profile.
Understanding Viagra’s Approval and Use
Viagra, known generically as sildenafil, is primarily approved for treating erectile dysfunction in men. Its use in women is not officially sanctioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and studies regarding its efficacy and safety in women have yielded mixed results . While some women may seek Viagra for issues related to sexual arousal or desire, the lack of FDA approval means that its effects and safety in this demographic are not well-established.
Safety Concerns During Breastfeeding
When it comes to breastfeeding, the consensus among health professionals is cautious. According to the NHS, while sildenafil can be beneficial for certain health conditions, its use during breastfeeding is not recommended. The primary concern is that the drug could potentially affect the nursing infant, although specific studies on this are limited. The general guideline is that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid using Viagra or similar medications unless absolutely necessary and prescribed by a healthcare provider.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
For women considering Viagra, it’s essential to be aware of the potential side effects, which can include headaches, flushing, and gastrointestinal issues. These side effects could complicate the postpartum recovery process and affect the ability to care for a newborn. Moreover, the implications of sildenafil on lactation and infant health remain inadequately studied, leading to a recommendation for caution.
Conclusion
In summary, while Viagra is not approved for use in women and its safety during breastfeeding is not well-documented, the prevailing medical advice is to avoid its use unless under strict medical supervision. Women who are breastfeeding and experiencing sexual dysfunction should consult with their healthcare provider to explore safer alternatives that are specifically designed for women and have established safety profiles during lactation.

What passes through breast milk?

Foods and drinks to avoid while breastfeeding
Caffeine passes into breastmilk, so large amounts of tea, coffee and cola drinks are best avoided. Drinking small amounts of drinks with caffeine (3 or less drinks a day) should not be a problem. Alcohol also passes into breastmilk and can affect your baby.

Does Viagra affect having a baby?

Using Viagra may be damaging men’s fertility, researchers have warned. Experiments suggest that the anti-impotence drug can harm sperm and may prevent some men from fathering families. In particular, young men who use the drug recreationally could impair their ability to have families.

What happens if a woman eats male Viagra?

While it’s likely to have little to no impact on a woman’s sexual experience, it’s also important to consider that taking Viagra could have severe consequences for a woman — especially as the effects of taking it are so poorly known. As a result, the drug is generally not considered safe for a woman to take.

Who can not take Viagra?

have a serious heart or liver problem. have recently had a stroke, heart attack or a heart problem – your doctor should carefully check whether your heart can take the additional strain of having sex. have low blood pressure (hypotension) have a rare inherited eye disease, such as retinitis pigmentosa.

Which drugs cannot be taken when breastfeeding?

ANSWER: Only a few drugs pose a clinically significant risk to breastfed babies. In general, antineoplastics, drugs of abuse, some anticonvulsants, ergot alkaloids, and radiopharmaceuticals should not be taken, and levels of amiodarone, cyclosporine, and lithium should be monitored.

What drugs can be passed through breast milk?

Most drug molecules, including alcohol, nicotine and caffeine, are small enough to enter milk. Exceptions are drugs with high molecular weights such as heparins and insulin.

What does Viagra do to a woman?

We know that in men, Viagra dilates blood vessels and increases the flow of blood to the penis. Women who take it might also have increased blood flow to the genitals. That may help increase sensitivity, arousal, and orgasmic function.

What happens if a woman takes female Viagra?

Lady Era may cause many of the same side effects in women as sildenafil does in men. These can include; headache, facial flushing, nausea, dizziness and stuffy nose. Sildenafil can also react with other medications and isn’t safe for people to use if they have heart problems.

What happens if a breastfeeding woman takes Viagra?

Sildenafil and breastfeeding
Sildenafil only passes into breast milk in tiny amounts, and is unlikely to cause any side effects in your baby.

What is the female version of Viagra called?

There’s no female version of Viagra (a drug that treats ED). Viagra doesn’t affect libido and isn’t approved for use in women. Addyi and Vyleesi, often called “female Viagra,” are approved to treat low libido in women, but they don’t affect sexual performance.