Why Women's Desire Disappears After 40 (And the Drug That Brings It Back) | Cindy Eckert

📩 Get Dr. Vonda’s insights Want to understand what’s happening in your body — and what to do next? Each week, Dr. Vonda shares science-backed guidance on strength, bone health, muscle, and longevity — the same way she speaks to her patients. Clear. Practical. No noise. 👉 Join the newsletter: https://manage.kmail-lists.com/subscr... Today I sat down with Cindy Eckert, founder and CEO of Sprout Pharmaceuticals and the woman behind Addyi, the first and only FDA-approved medication for low sexual desire in women, often called the "female Viagra." This conversation is about so much more than a pill: it's about biology, agency, and why a switch going out in your brain deserves a medical answer, not a euphemism. What we explore: Why desire begins in the brain, not the body. How Addyi works on dopamine and serotonin to restore interest. What women say when they describe losing their libido. Why HSDD can affect women from their teens through their eighties. How the double standard in men's versus women's sexual health stalled the science for decades. What words to use with your doctor to be taken seriously. Why medical gaslighting shows up the same way in sexual health as it does in orthopedics. How "The Pink Pill" documentary exposes gender bias in healthcare. Why it's okay to fire a clinician who blows you off. About Cindy Eckert: Cindy Eckert is the founder and CEO of Sprout Pharmaceuticals, maker of Addyi, the first FDA-approved treatment for low sexual desire in women. A serial entrepreneur with over $1.5 billion in company exits, she was named to the TIME100 Health 2026 list, Glossy's inaugural Wellness Founder of the Year, and Sprout was named one of TIME's 10 Most Influential Health and Life Science Companies of 2026. Addyi was also featured in Oprah's Menopause Awards. She's now the subject of the documentary "The Pink Pill," streaming on Paramount+. Read more: TIME100 Health 2026:https://time.com/article/2026/04/27/t... NYT Profile: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/st... Oprah's Menopause Awards: https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/healt... Connect with Cindy Eckert: Website: addyi.com Instagram:   / cindypinkceo   Grab an Addyi coupon for your telemed appointment Use promo code VONDA to get $10 off 👉 addyi.com Timestamps 00:00 Intro 04:09 Medical Gaslighting in Women's Health 06:08 Female Desire and the Brain 08:02 How Women Describe Low Libido 10:53 The Science of Dopamine and Serotonin 12:58 How Addyi's Effects Build Over Time 15:15 Desire and a Sense of Wholeness 18:44 HSDD Across the Lifespan 21:41 The FDA's Resistance to Addyi 26:21 The Double Standard in Sexual Health 29:00 What to Say to Your Doctor 32:08 When to Fire Your Clinician 38:08 Treating Sexual Health as Medicine 41:41 Making of "The Pink Pill" Documentary 46:07 Women's Health Conversations 2026 🎤 Women's Health Conversations 2026 Three days of world-class speakers, wellness activations, and 1,000+ women choosing themselves. Join us this November. 👉 Grab your spot: https://theunbreakablelifestyle.com/w... ... 🧠 Start your Unbreakable journey Most women are never given a clear plan for how to stay strong as they age. The Unbreakable Lifestyle is where that changes. This is the home of Dr. Vonda’s method — built from 20+ years of clinical work and designed for real life. Inside: Unbreakable Assessment — know exactly where you stand Training plans — build muscle, protect bone, improve performance AI Dr. Vonda — get answers and guidance anytime Community — women committed to staying strong and engaged Exclusive education — what actually works, all in one place This is not another program. This is how you build strength — with direction. 👉 Join the Unbreakable Lifestyle: https://www.theunbreakablelifestyle.c... 🦴 Build stronger bones Bone loss starts earlier than you think — and speeds up in midlife. Dr. Vonda’s Unbreakable Bone Health formula supports bone density, strength, and long-term skeletal health with clinically researched ingredients. Foundational. Not optional. 👉 Shop now: https://shop.drvondawright.com/?utm_s... ... 📖 Read the book Unbreakable: A Woman’s Guide to Aging with Power A clear, science-backed roadmap to building strength, supporting your body, and taking control of how you age. 👉 Get your copy: https://www.theunbreakablelifestyle.c... ... Website: http://www.drvondawright.com?utm_sour...