Editorial
Editorial processWritten by the Men's Health Istanbul editorial team, based on the published sources listed below.
Published
Updated
The short answer
In a phase 1 study of 62 healthy men, a 3.6% sildenafil cream put far less of the drug into the bloodstream than a 50 mg sildenafil tablet, and it was well tolerated. The study did not test whether the cream improves erections, and the cream is not an approved treatment.
Key takeaways
- Phase 1 study, published in the journal Sexual Medicine (September 2026).
- Peak blood levels were up to about 187 times lower than with the tablet; overall exposure was roughly 33–35 times lower.
- It measured safety and blood levels only, not effectiveness.
What was studied
Researchers gave 62 healthy adult men a single dose of either a sildenafil cream (3.6%) or a standard 50 mg sildenafil tablet, then measured how much of the drug appeared in their blood. Sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra and many generic ED tablets.
What the researchers found
With the cream, the highest level of sildenafil in the blood was up to around 187 times lower than with the tablet. Total exposure over time was roughly 33 to 35 times lower. Only about 2.5–3% of the sildenafil in the cream reached the bloodstream compared with the tablet. The cream was well tolerated at all tested doses.
Why lower blood levels could matter
Common tablet side effects such as headache and flushing are linked to the drug circulating around the whole body. A treatment that acts where it is applied, with little reaching the bloodstream, could in theory cause fewer of these effects. That idea still has to be proven in men with ED.
What this study can't tell us
It was a single-dose study in healthy volunteers, so it says nothing yet about how well the cream works for erections. The cream is being developed by a company (Daré Bioscience), whose main programme for it targets female sexual arousal disorder. Larger trials in men with ED would be needed before any conclusions can be drawn.
The bottom line
Interesting early science, not a new treatment. If tablets cause you side effects, talk to a urologist: there are already several proven options.
Questions men also ask
Can I buy sildenafil cream for ED?
It is not an approved ED treatment. Do not use unregulated products sold online.
Is it safer than tablets?
Lower blood levels are promising, but safety and effectiveness in men with ED have not yet been tested in proper trials.
Sources & further reading
- Urology Times Topical sildenafil cream associated with lower systemic exposure vs oral sildenafil (opens in a new tab) (15 Sep 2026)
- Daré Bioscience press release Peer-reviewed publication of the phase 1 sildenafil cream study in men (opens in a new tab) (Sep 2026)
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This article summarises published research for general information. Some treatments mentioned are experimental and not approved. It is not medical advice; please speak to your doctor before starting or changing any treatment. Read our editorial policy and medical review policy.
