New cream brings Viagra’s power to women

Viagra’s active ingredient has officially gone pink. A new prescription cream aims to boost physical arousal in women — a first in the long-neglected field of female sexual health.

Biotech company Daré Bioscience has launched Dare to Play, a topical sildenafil formulation designed to increase genital blood flow and enhance arousal responses in women. Sildenafil is the same compound found in Viagra, but this time delivered through a fast-absorbing cream instead of a pill.

For decades, treatment for women with low arousal has been limited to psychotherapy, lifestyle adjustments, or flibanserin — a drug that targets brain chemistry rather than physical response. Dare to Play focuses on the physiological side of arousal by relaxing blood vessels in the clitoris and surrounding tissue, improving lubrication, swelling, and sensitivity.

Researchers say as many as 40 percent of women experience some form of sexual dysfunction, yet pharmaceutical options remain scarce.

Early trials for Dare to Play showed improvements in desire, arousal, and orgasm frequency compared to a placebo, with minimal side effects thanks to its localized application. Effects reportedly begin 10 to 15 minutes after use.

The product is currently offered as a compounded cream produced in an FDA-registered outsourcing facility while Daré Bioscience pursues full FDA approval. Telehealth consultations are available through partner providers, with nationwide prescription fulfillment expected in early 2026.

While not recommended for women with certain heart conditions or active infections, the cream is being positioned as a long-overdue option in a market where women have historically had few clinically validated choices.

Daré Bioscience says the launch responds to growing demand from women and clinicians seeking evidence-based treatments for low arousal — a condition often overlooked despite its prevalence.