Are women finally getting the “female viagra”?

WEB DESK: For nearly three decades, a stark gender gap has existed in sexual medicine. Since Viagra revolutionised treatment for men’s sexual dysfunction in 1998, women have waited for a comparable, science-backed solution. That wait, proponents argue, may now be over. Daré Bioscience has announced the commercial availability of DARE to PLAY™, a first-of-its-kind topical sildenafil cream designed specifically for women to enhance genital blood flow and arousal, with clinical data suggesting a direct pathway to improved orgasmic function.

The cream, now available by prescription in ten states in the United States, applies the same active ingredient found in Viagra, sildenafil, directly to the genital area. It is a non-hormonal product intended for use as needed, designed to act locally by increasing blood flow within 10 to 15 minutes, thereby enhancing natural arousal sensations without systemic side effects.

“This represents a long overdue correction,” said Sabrina Martucci Johnson, CEO of Daré Bioscience. “For women, progress on enhancing natural arousal sensations has stalled for nearly three decades. DARE to PLAY gives women an option to reconnect with their own bodies, their pleasure, and their confidence, using science that finally recognises their needs.”

The launch is particularly significant because of its focus on the physiological component of female arousal. While existing products often rely on lifestyle marketing, DARE to PLAY is backed by clinical trials. In a key phase 2b study of 200 women with arousal disorder, exploratory analysis identified a subset, those with arousal disorder alone or with decreased desire,

who showed not only significant improvements in arousal sensation but also positive trends in the desire and orgasm domains.

This finding points to the cream’s potential to directly address a core challenge for an estimated 20 million women in the U.S. who report issues with genital arousal: the ability to reach orgasm. By targeting the foundational issue of blood flow, which is crucial for sensation and engorgement, the therapy aims to remove a key physical barrier to orgasmic response.

“The need for research-backed solutions has never been greater,” said Dr. Irwin Goldstein, Director of San Diego Sexual Medicine. “Daré’s commitment ensures women who need it don’t have to wait to benefit from this innovation.”

It is crucial to note the product is currently available as a compounded drug under Section 503B, manufactured under quality standards but not yet evaluated or approved by the FDA for safety or effectiveness. The company intends to pursue full FDA approval. Prescriptions can be pre-ordered in Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Utah, with broader rollout expected through 2026.

For millions of women, the arrival of DARE to PLAY is more than a new product; it symbolises a pivotal shift. After decades of being told to “wait it out,” science is finally delivering a tangible, evidence-based tool aimed not just at arousal, but at unlocking the fuller spectrum of female sexual pleasure and orgasmic potential.