‘Viagra for women’ finally officially here, promises to close ‘one of medicine’s most persistent gender gaps’

Viagra transformed the lives of men around the world, putting a spring into the step of people whose erectile dysfunction left them anxious and miserable in the bedroom. That little blue pill is now generally available without prescription, and older men now see no stigma in getting a little chemical boost when necessary.

But now, three decades on from Viagra hitting the market, ladies can finally (officially at least) join the party. Women’s health biotech group Daré Bioscience has just unveiled “DARE to PLAY”, a $10 cream designed specifically for women that uses sildenafil, the same active ingredient as Viagra.

Daré Bioscience CEO Sabrina Martucci Johnson said she was unhappy that men had been prioritized and that it was about time for real studies to be done on getting a product tailored to women officially on the market

“When Viagra was approved in 1998, it revolutionized sexual medicine for men. But for women, comparable progress on enhancing the natural arousal sensations has stalled for nearly three decades. We believe DARE to PLAY represents a long overdue correction, giving women an option to reconnect with their own bodies, their pleasure, and their confidence, using science that finally recognizes their needs.”

The company says that the cream should be applied to the appropriate area 10-15 minutes before any activity, increasing blood flow, heightening sensation, and cranking the volume up on arousal. They underline that there are no side effects and that you can talk to a health care provider today about getting a prescription.

Does it actually work?

Reassuringly, their claims are all backed up by peer-reviewed science, concluding that the cream “improved outcomes” for women in all the ways it claims compared to a placebo.

The cream is currently available for pre-order in Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Utah, with other states getting it throughout 2026.

It’s worth underlining that women have been trying out Viagra for themselves recreationally since it was first released, with it reportedly being popular in aiding women on antidepressants. But, as a pill designed explicitly for male use, it targets enzymes that aren’t as common in women and so isn’t as effective as it could be. This cream should change that.

So here’s hoping DARE to PLAY ushers in many happy encounters, perhaps even lighting a fire in longtime relationships that have moved away from physical affection over the years!