We're getting closer to the year 2016 and the long anticipated release of the "female Viagra" drug, Librido (alternatively spelled "Lybrido"). How does it work? It's a pill that is taken orally. First, there's an outer layer of testosterone that dissolves under the tongue. Then, the pill is swallowed. It contains a Viagra-like drug that causes the sex organs to engorge as they would during arousal. There's also an anti-anxiety effect that reduces inhibitions.

It's an old stereotype that men want more sex than women. Is that the reality? Probably not, given the stated concerns of some of the doctors involved in the development of Librido. Daniel Bergner wrote in the New York Times:

More than one adviser to the industry [said] that companies worried …that the FDA would reject an application out of concern that a chemical would lead to female excesses, crazed binges of infidelity, and societal splintering. Seriously?

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This fear of female sexuality goes all the way to the federal government? That's disappointing.

Preemptive Slut Shaming by 'Experts'

I also find it incredibly insulting. The clear implication is that women are prone to rampant extra-marital affairs and wanton promiscuity. This preemptive slut-shaming doesn't stop there. Bergner also heard from Andrew Goldstein, who conducted studies of Librido. He said, "You want the effects to be good, but not too good. There was a lot of discussion by experts…the need to show that you're not turning women into nymphomaniacs. There's a…fear of creating the sexually aggressive woman."

Gosh, that does sound scary! Remember, these aren't just any men. These are doctors and scientists worrying about accidentally developing a pill so strong it makes women completely out of control with desire - to the point that they lose control and eschew even the most basic morality. I ask again: Seriously?!?

Animators in Taiwan have their own ideas about why Librido might be a bad idea. While hilarious, this vid is emphatically NSFW.


Is a Pill the Right Answer?

Let's get this straight: If women have a sex drive that's too low, they should take a pill to make it higher. However, that pill shouldn't work "too well" because women with high sexual desire are scary to men. Why is that? Could it be fear that they can't keep up with their partner's desire? Are they worried that their newly unsatisfied partner will cheat? Is satisfying a lustful partner suddenly too much trouble? I can't begin to imagine what kind of partner would be afraid of having more frequent, satisfying and enthusiastic sex.The physical components of Librido makes sense. There are biological changes that happen to female sex organs in preparation for sex. These changes do tend to take longer for women than for men. To my mind though, that's a reason for more and better foreplay instead of pills. I'm not comfortable with Librido's anti-anxiety component, either. Reduced inhibitions can lead to foolhardy decisions. Besides, inhibitions could very well be our instincts telling us to be wary of a situation. That should be listened to instead of diminished by a go-go-giggity drug. (Learn more about foreplay in 10 Things You Didn't Know About Foreplay.)Librido does have the potential to do a lot of good. Many women are unsatisfied with their sex drive for reasons that have nothing to do with pleasing a partner. For them, Librido can mean a welcomed reawakening of passion and a drive to get down and do the no-pants-dance. As for married couples, Librido and Viagra can both work to put the sexual spark back into a marriage. A Penn State study of divorced couples found that sexual dissatisfaction and infidelity both ranked high among the reasons marriages fail. I guess we'll have to wait until 2016 to find out whether Librido ushers in a new era of insatiable sex-crazed nymphomaniacs. Let's hope that it does!

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