The Science Behind Libido-Boosting Medication

DARE to PLAY is designed to complement, not replace, other approaches. It is a pharmacologic option focused on improving genital blood flow and physical responsiveness.

Women often benefit most from a multimodal approach.

If you're tired of uncertain quality and unproven options, you're not alone.

Results shown are from a subset of 65 women in a 12-week clinical trial: 33 women who received Sildenafil Cream and 32 who received Placebo Cream. The results were published in the Green Journal (Obstetrics & Gynecology), the official journal of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and highlighted on ACOG’s podcast The Green Room. Clinical trial results were also featured in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, the official journal of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health. DARE to PLAY is the only sildenafil cream for women supported by published, peer-reviewed clinical data. It was studied in clinical trials that used clinically validated and FDA-reviewed endpoints to measure results.

Comparison table

The cream is designed with a proprietary drug delivery system that helps sildenafil get into the vaginal and vulvar tissue, where it can act locally to increase blood flow. Other sildenafil creams on the market haven’t been proven to work–they have not been studied, shown to absorb properly or published in peer-reviewed research, and are often compounded without consistent quality standards. DARE to PLAY stands apart because it’s rigorously developed, science-backed, and held to the highest standards of quality and clinical evidence. Sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra®) has a long-established safety profile in men. The topical formulation used in DARE to PLAY is designed to work locally (in the tissues that matter for sexual arousal) while minimizing how much of the drug enters the bloodstream. DARE to PLAY is designed to improve physical arousal by increasing genital blood flow. Many women find that enhancing physical responsiveness can also help restore desire and confidence.

In the Phase 2b clinical study, women with low desire due to diminished physical arousal sensations experienced improved desire following use of DARE to PLAY. If low desire is influenced by emotional or relationship factors, combining DARE to PLAY with other approaches—like counseling or therapy—may provide the best results. Yes, please see these instructions for how to get a prescription. Anyone who is licensed to write prescriptions can prescribe it—including your primary care provider (PCP), family medicine doctor, OB/GYN, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or another qualified specialist. The DARE Health Hub (powered by Medvantx) is a nationwide pharmacy and telehealth service.

Two Medicines

Once applied, do not wipe off any of the cream until after sexual activity. In the Phase 2b clinical study, women did not use lubricants because the study was specifically designed to evaluate the impact of DARE to PLAY on the genital arousal response. However, there are no concerns about the compatibility of lubricants with the DARE to PLAY formulation. DARE to PLAY has been studied in both pre-and postmenopausal women to evaluate safety, tolerability, and how the drug is absorbed in the body (pharmacokinetics). In these studies, the cream was well tolerated.

11 natural aphrodisiacs for females

The Phase 2b clinical study enrolled healthy pre-and perimenopausal women aged 18 to 45 who had a diagnosis of Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD). Similar to FDA-approved products for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), FSAD trials conducted for FDA review typically focus on either pre-or postmenopausal populations. In the Phase 2b clinical study, approximately one-third of the participants were taking an SSRI. An informal analysis compared women on SSRIs with those who were not and found that both groups showed positive trends in improved arousal sensations. Many vaginal products contain ingredients that can weaken condoms, increasing the risk of breakage. Whether you use the DARE Health Hub telehealth offering to get your prescription or get a prescription from your provider, this is where you will order/fill your prescription. This service offers contact-free ordering and discreet delivery directly to your doorstep.

• The topic is often sensationalized in media as a search for a "pink Viagra."
• This can create unrealistic expectations about a simple pill solving complex issues.
• Ethical debates concern medicalizing normal variations in female sexual desire.
• The high cost of new drugs creates issues of accessibility and healthcare inequality.
• Off-label use of testosterone is common but lacks long-term safety data for women.
• The primary focus should be on treating the underlying cause, not just the symptom.
• Patient education and managing expectations are a critical part of the process.

Here’s what you can expect depending on your preferred method of obtaining a prescription: Register for an account at the DARE Health Hub. After registering, you will be asked, “Have you seen a provider already?” Select “No” to initiate a telehealth consultation. You’ll then be asked to: Provide your address informationSign the telehealth consent agreementFill out the telehealth questionnaireVerify your identification (by uploading a photo ID) Verify your identification (by uploading a photo ID) Within approximately 24 hours, your telehealth questionnaire responses will be reviewed by a licensed healthcare provider, and if medically appropriate, you will receive a prescription for DARE to PLAY.

• A healthy, balanced diet supports overall health, including hormonal balance.
• Regular physical exercise improves blood circulation, mood, and body image.
• Adequate sleep is crucial for regulating hormones that influence sexual desire.
• Stress management techniques (yoga, meditation) can reduce a major libido killer.
• Reducing alcohol consumption can improve sexual response and overall health.
• Quitting smoking improves blood flow to sexual organs and overall vitality.
• Open communication with a partner is fundamental for a healthy sexual relationship.

You can check the status of your prescription under “My Prescriptions” in the DARE Health Hub. You will be notified in the coming months, via email and text message, when ordering becomes available in your state. Ordering details will be added once available! Talk to your healthcare provider about DARE to PLAY. Bring the prescribing guide with you to your appointment. If your provider feels DARE to PLAY is medically appropriate for you, they will submit your prescription directly to the DARE Health Hub.

• Filbanserin (Addyi) is not available on the standard NHS drug tariff.
• Vyleesi (Bremelanotide) is also not routinely funded by the NHS in the UK.
• Ospemifene (Senshio) may be prescribed on the NHS for specific menopausal symptoms.
• Testosterone is used off-label, and funding can vary by local Clinical Commissioning Group.
• Most treatments for FSD are primarily accessed through private prescription.
• Private consultation costs range from £50-£250, plus the cost of medication.
• Some private health insurance policies may cover specialist consultations and treatments.

You will then receive a phone call from the DARE Health Hub confirming receipt of your prescription and inviting you to register for an account. After registering, you’ll receive timely updates and a notification as soon as your prescription is ready to be ordered through the DARE Health Hub in the coming months. Compounded medications like DARE to PLAY are typically not covered by insurance. However, many people are able to use FSA or HSA funds to pay for it. DARE to PLAY Sildenafil Cream will cost about $10 per sexual experience — less than your favorite coffee run, and way more satisfying.

One, we’re not a telehealth company trying to make more money by pushing products on women that they don’t need. We develop real, differentiated solutions for women who want and need them. Two, we don’t want to assume that you will use DARE to PLAY a certain number of times per month. We will offer an option to auto-refill your prescription at a cadence that’s right for you, but we want to support and honor your choices and what feels right in your body, so whether one tube of DARE to PLAY lasts 10 days or one year–we think that’s perfect! Sign up to receive updates about DARE to PLAY and to be notified when it launches in your state. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The evolution of the female sexual disorder/dysfunction definitions, nomenclature, and classifications: a review of DSM, ICSM, ISSWSH, and ICD. doi: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2020.05.001 3 16% of women in the U.S. ages 21-60 are distressed from experiencing no or low sexual arousal, according to market research, and are actively seeking treatment. Ad Hoc Market Research: FSAD Prevalence Report (Oct 2015) conducted for SST LLC and based on US Census projections for 2016.

Interested, but not quite ready?

DARE to PLAY was tested using ASTM D7661-10, a standardized method that ensures a product is safe to use with condoms. Based on these tests, DARE to PLAY is compatible with all male condoms except those made of polyurethane. In the Phase 2b clinical study, women were allowed to use DARE to PLAY during oral sex, and it was well tolerated with no significant safety concerns. Prior to the Phase 2b clinical study, DARE to PLAY was also tested in a preclinical study to assess its effects on the oral mucosa. These tests showed that daily 25 mg viagra exposure for 28 days did not cause irritation inside the mouth.

A note about sex and gender

The DARE to PLAY formulation does contain a proprietary combination of salts that support the absorption of sildenafil into the tissue. As a result, you may notice a mildly salty taste. DARE to PLAY can be used in both situations! In the Phase 2b clinical study, about 20% of sexual events were solo, and women reported that these experiences were often more satisfying than partnered events. Partnered events sometimes occurred under less-than-ideal conditions, like limited time or distractions, which can affect pleasure. 4 Thurman AR, Johnson I, Cornell KA, Hatheway J, Kim NN, Parish SJ, Dart C, Friend DR, Goldstein A. Safety of topical sildenafil cream, 3.6% in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial for the treatment of female sexual arousal disorder. 2024;21(9):793-799. doi:10.1093/jsxmed/qdae089 5 Goldstein S, Kukkonen T, Monsef A, Goldstein I. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-way crossover study using thermography to assess the pharmacodynamics of sildenafil cream, 3.6% in healthy women. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.11.194 6 Johnson I, Thurman AR, Cornell KA, Hatheway J, Dart C, Brainard CP, Friend DR, Goldstein A.

We got busy with a full clinical study.

DARE to PLAY has been evaluated in clinical studies and was well tolerated, with no significant safety concerns reported. The safety findings from the Phase 2b clinical study have been published and are available on the DARE to PLAY website. If you experience difficulty with sexual arousal, including a lack of physical response or reduced genital sensitivity during sexual activity, you may benefit from DARE to PLAY. A conversation with a licensed healthcare provider can help determine whether it is appropriate for you. DARE to PLAY contains the same active ingredient as Viagra®, but it’s formulated specifically for women and applied directly where it’s needed.

How it Helps You Do It

Unlike an oral pill, DARE to PLAY is a topical cream designed to work locally rather than systemically. Apply the cream with your finger 10 to 15 minutes before sexual activity up to once per day. Slowly squeeze out a length of cream about 2 ½ inches long for one 2-gram dose. Lying on your back, apply half the cream on and around the clitoris and the area around the vaginal opening, avoiding areas with hair. Apply the rest of the cream just inside the vagina, rubbing the cream with a curved finger on the front wall of the vagina.