Sex Drive In a Little Pink Pill- Consumers Be Warned
By Dr. Kristen Burris, DAcCHM — “Dr. Babymaker”
Low libido in women is not a personal shortcoming, a sign of a bad relationship, or something that can be magically fixed with a little pink pill. Sexual desire is a complex interplay of personal connection, brain chemistry, hormone expression, stress physiology, emotional safety, and reflection of overall physical and emotional health.
Recently, the prescription drug Addyi® (flibanserin) has hit the shelves and has been marketed as a solution for women with low sexual desire. However, when we look closely at how it works, how well it works, and the risks involved, a vital question emerges:
Why risk taking a medication, with potentially serious side effects when safer, effective, non-drug options already exists?
What Is Addyi—and How Does It Work?
Addyi (flibanserin) is FDA-approved for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women. Unlike Viagra, which increases blood flow, Addyi acts on the brain, altering levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Spoiler ALERT! Acupuncture naturally alters levels of neurotransmitters, serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.
The theory for this drug is simple: adjust brain chemistry and desire may improve.
The reality? The benefits of this pink pill or extremely modest... less than .5 increase. Even though they boast boldy "Real Science. Real Results". Orgasm increase was from .49 to .81...over 24 week period, arousal from .6 to 1.0 desire from .59 to .91. These results are hardly any increase whatsoever but the drug got FDA approval anyways. And recently, they expanded the population for postmenopausal women too.
Clinical trials showed only small increases in desire scores and, on average, about one additional “satisfying sexual experience” every two months compared to placebo. But the page advertises this in a misleading way by promising "More Satisfying Sex" with two tiny asterisks next to that bold statement. Many women saw no meaningful change at all.
The Real Risks of Addyi
What often gets glossed over in advertising is Addyi’s safety profile.
1. Dangerous Alcohol Interactions
Addyi carries a boxed warning for severe low blood pressure and fainting when combined with alcohol. Even small amounts can trigger significant reactions. For many women, this alone is a deal-breaker.
2. Medication Interactions
Addyi interacts with common medications, including:
Antifungals
Certain antibiotics
Antidepressants
Hormonal therapies
St. John's Wort
Ginko
Resveratrol
Even Grapefruit Juice
These interactions can raise drug levels and increase side effects.
3. Common Side Effects
Reported side effects include:
Dizziness
Passing Out Sycope
Very Low Blood Pressure
Extreme fatigue
Nausea
Insomnia
Brain fog
They warn: DO NOT DRIVE within 6 HOURS of taking this medication do to the risk of passing out, losing consciousness
Many women stop the medication because they simply don’t feel well on it. 13% had such severe side-effects they had to discontinue the medication.
Why Low Libido Is Rarely a “Drug Deficiency”
From a functional and integrative medical perspective, low libido is almost never caused by a lack of pharmaceuticals.
Common root contributors include:
Chronic stress or nervous system overload
Hormonal imbalance (especially estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and cortisol)
Poor sleep and exhaustion
Depression or anxiety
Pain, inflammation, or pelvic floor dysfunction or prolapse
Relationship or emotional safety issues
From a TCM perspective our Kidney energy are almost always involved
Suppressing symptoms without addressing these root cause drivers often leads to frustration—and sometimes harming the patient.
How Acupuncture Improves Libido—Without the Risk
Acupuncture doesn’t force the body into one biochemical pathway. Instead, it regulates to imbalances.
Research shows acupuncture can:
Modulate serotonin and dopamine
Calms the sympathetic (“fight or flight”) nervous system
Improves blood flow to pelvic organs and the brain
Reduce stress hormones including cortisol
Improve sleep quality
Improve mood and desire
Increases energy and stamina
These healing effects directly influence sexual desire, arousal, and satisfaction—using the body’s own regulatory systems as opposed to overriding them.
When performed by a licensed practitioner, acupuncture and dry needling have an extremely low risk profile. Look for the specific credentials Licensed Acupuncturist "LAc" or Doctor of Acupuncture "DAc" or the dual doctorate Doctor of Acupuncture with a Specialization in Chinese Herbal Medicine "DAcCHM".
Individualized Chinese Herbal Medicine: Precision, Not Pills
Unlike one-size-fits-all medications, Chinese herbal medicine is customized to your body, your pattern, your desire. We differentiate based on many aspects including if you feel desire once things get started, never feel aroused, have a hard time climaxing, have no energy to get aroused, or too exhausted to think about having sex. We pay attention to whether the patient has back pain, headaches or suffers emotionally. Each pattern is different for each person.
Two women with “low libido” may receive completely different formulas based on:
Hormone patterns
Energy levels
Sleep quality
Digestive health
Emotional state
Tongue and Pulse Diagnosis
Properly prescribed herbal formulas can:
Support dopamine and norepinephrine pathways
Improve blood circulation and pelvic and overall body warmth
Reduce anxiety and mental fatigue
Support adrenal and hormonal balance
Stimulate the desire to initiate
When prescribed appropriately, individualized herbal medicine offers therapeutic benefit, without the systemic risks seen with drugs like Addyi. Never order online. Herbs can be tampered with. Never order from other countries. These can contain contaminants and even unlisted drugs.
Similar Brain Effects—Very Different Safety Profiles
Here’s what’s important to understand:
Addyi, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine all influence brain chemistry.
The difference is how they do it.
Approach
Addyi
Acupuncture
Individualized Herbs
Affects Neurotransmitters
Yes (single pathway)
Yes (regulatory, multi-pathway)
Yes (adaptive, multi-target)
Systemic Risk
Moderately High
Very Low
Low (when properly prescribed)
Why start with the riskiest option?
A Smarter, Safer First-Line Approach
As a doctor of natural medicine, my philosophy is simple:
Start with the least invasive, most restorative option that addresses root causes first.
For most women, that means starting with acupuncture and herbal medicine with lifestyle changes for:
Nervous system regulation
Hormonal balance
Metabolic Support
Digestive System Strengthening
Auto-immune system regulation
Medication should always be a last resort, not the first option.
Final Thoughts from Dr. Babymaker
Low libido is not a flaw—it’s feedback. Whether you are trying for a baby or you are on your way into menopause, libido is more than sex drive. It's connection, it's healthy relationships, it's healthy hormones and blood flow. It is a natural part of life that can improve with a little help.
Your body is asking for balance, safety, and support—not suppression.
Before risking a medication with known side-effects and uncertain long-term consequences, consider treatments that work with your physiology, not against it.
Because when effective, safer options already exist, why gamble with your health?
Ready to Address Low Libido Naturally?
If you’re struggling with low desire and want a personalized, root-cause approach using acupuncture and functional medicine, schedule a consultation at www.doctorbabymaker.com.
Your body deserves better than a pill with a warning label.