A new science-backed arousal cream is giving women a long-overdue solution to sexual dysfunction. Formulated with the same active ingredient as Viagra, this fast-acting treatment is designed specifically for women – enhancing blood flow, boosting arousal, and finally bringing balance to the bedroom.

A newly released arousal cream created specifically for women is bringing fresh attention to sildenafil – the active ingredient famously used in Viagra since 1998 to treat erectile dysfunction.

Originally developed for heart conditions, the drug’s ability to increase blood flow to the genitals was later repurposed to enhance male sexual performance.

Now, Daré Bioscience is using that same ingredient to put women’s needs at the center.

Female sexual dysfunction

Research suggests that 43% of women – compared to 31% of males – experience some form of sexual dysfunction, often characterized by a lack of sexual desire or difficulty becoming aroused.

The condition, clinically referred to as Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (FSIAD), may stem from numerous factors, including hormonal changes, menopause, psychological stress, depression, or trauma. It’s as prevalent as male erectile dysfunction, yet pharmaceutical options for women have lagged significantly.

Until now, treatment options for FSIAD included psychotherapy, hormone therapy, lifestyle adjustments, or the oral medication flibanserin, which “works by balancing substances in the brain that help regulate mood and increase sex drive,” Cleveland Clinic explains.

‘Tingling, warmth, engorgement’

Dare to Play, developed by Daré Bioscience, offers a physical – not hormonal or psychological – solution that targets the actual physiological responses involved in arousal.

According to the company’s website, the product “is a fast-acting, non-hormonal topical formulation designed to increase genital blood flow and enhance natural arousal sensations – like warmth, tingling, swelling, and lubrication.”

And the cream reportedly boosts blood flow in as little as 10 minutes after application.

“It’s the blood flow that goes to the genital tissue that causes tingling, warmth, engorgement,” Sabrina Martucci Johnson, president and CEO of Daré Bioscience, told the New York Post. “It actually is what leads to the lubrication response in arousal in women, because that’s all mediated from the blood flow to the tissue.”

Topical delivery minimizes side effects

Johnson said that Daré Bioscience spent nearly 10 years developing this new product.

“Men got access to Viagra back in the 90s, but some 30 years later, women who are struggling with sexual dysfunction still don’t have the same pharmaceutical options. Filling that gap was the impetus for DARE to PLAY,” Johnson explained in Oprah Daily.

Initial attempts to create a female version of the Viagra pill proved impractical, as women would require significantly higher oral doses of sildenafil than men, making side effects more likely and potentially dangerous.

The breakthrough came when scientists shifted their focus to a cream you apply directly to the genital area. This targeted method means the medicine works right where it’s needed – without flooding the whole body – so women don’t have to deal with typical side effects like headaches, nausea, or blurry vision that can happen with the pill form.

“You’re really not seeing any of the side effects that you might see with like a Viagra that are sildenafil side effects because of the way we’re delivering the product topically, just right where she needs it,” Johnson told the New York Post.

Availability

Dare to Play costs “about $10 per sexual experience – less than your favorite coffee run, way more satisfying,” the website notes.

Importantly, an official FSIAD diagnosis is not required to obtain the product. Women experiencing any form of arousal difficulties can consult a healthcare provider, including via telehealth, to receive a prescription.

It’s available for pre-order in 10 states: Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Utah.

Availability is set to expand to additional states through December and continue into early 2026.

With the release of Dare to Play, a historic pharmaceutical gender gap is finally starting to close. For the first time, women have a fast-acting, targeted option for enhancing physical arousal – a development that could reshape the landscape of sexual wellness and healthcare for years to come.

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