A female equivalent of the sexual enhancement drug Viagra has been released - but many are left wondering exactly how it works.
Viagra - also known as Sildenafil - is a medication that has been used to treat erectile dysfunction since 1998, after it was initially studied for use in high blood pressure and heart disease patients.
For over 30 years, the 'little blue pill' has helped men with erectile dysfunction to be able to partake in sexual activity - and now, a female equivalent has finally been released to market.
Scientists at women’s health biotech group Daré Bioscience have created a $10 product for women that is said to work in just 10 minutes.
The cream, called 'DARE to PLAY' is the first of its kind and works by increasing blood flow in the vagina and improving sexual arousal, something that around 20 million women struggle with, according to the Southern California-based company.
The product uses the same active ingredient as Viagra - sildenafil - which increases blood flow to the area.
CEO Sabrina Martucci Johnson said in a statement: "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."
Daré Bioscience says the cream should be applied 10 to 15 minutes before sexual activity and only applied once a day. They say no side effects were reported when tested alongside a placebo in clinical trials.
The cream is available to pre-order by prescription from a licensed health care provider in 10 states: Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Utah.
The cream is set to become available in more states throughout December and into early 2026.
While compounded medications like the cream are typically not covered by insurance, Daré Bioscience says many people have been able to use Flexible or Health Savings Account funds to pay for it.
Compounded products - of which the cream falls under Section 503B - are manufactured in a facility that is subject to inspection by the FDA, but the drug itself is not evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness or quality.
It is continuing to seek approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but says the efficacy has been backed by toxicology studies, multiple clinical trials and peer-reviewed research.
The company claims other products marketed for arousal are not held to strict quality, manufacturing, testing or consistency standards and are sold without clear quality or safety assurances.