Women First HealthCare Announces a Strategic Partnership with the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association; Vaniqa-R- Gains Exposure.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 15, 2004

Women First HealthCare, Inc. (Nasdaq: WFHC) announced today that they have entered into a partnership with the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association (PCOSA) to work together to educate and promote Vaniqa(R) (eflornithine hydrochloride) Cream, 13.9% to patients with PCOS, as well as the Endocrinologists that serve the members of the PCOSA. This partnership creates a significant opportunity for Women First to expand the Vaniqa(R) franchise.

PCOS affects an estimated 15 million women in the United States alone. The goal of this alliance is to open an untapped venue for women to gain access to important patient education and information regarding Vaniqa(R) that will assist them in managing unwanted facial hair, a common symptom of PCOS.

This partnership extends the reach of Vaniqa(R):

-- 2,000 Endocrinologists will be sent an announcement letter

about the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association endorsement

of Vaniqa(R).

-- A website link will be established on the Polycystic Ovarian

Syndrome Association website to Vaniqa.com.

-- Members of The Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association will

receive information about Vaniqa(R)

-- Women First will contribute to the monthly and quarterly PCOS

newsletters and participate at the annual PCOSA conference.

Commenting on the partnership, Women First Consumer Vice President, Randi Crawford said, "This partnership allows Women First HealthCare to achieve our mission of helping women by informing and educating PCOS patients about Vaniqa(R) and how it can help."

Ashley Tabeling, Executive Director for the PCOSA commented, "We are thrilled to be partnering with Women First HealthCare on Vaniqa(R) to offer women and girls with PCOS much needed services that will help them manage their symptoms."

About Vaniqa(R) (eflornithine hydrochloride) Cream, 13.9%

Vaniqa(R) is indicated for the reduction of unwanted facial hair in women. In controlled trials, Vaniqa(R) provided clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in the reduction of facial hair growth around the lips and under the chin for nearly 60% of women using Vaniqa(R). Vaniqa(R) is not a hair remover but complements other current methods of hair removal such as electrolysis, shaving, depilatories, waxing, and tweezing. The patient should continue to use hair removal techniques as needed in conjunction with Vaniqa(R). Improvement in the condition may be noticed within four to eight weeks of starting therapy. Continued treatment may result in further improvement and is necessary to maintain beneficial effects. The condition may return to pre-treatment levels within eight weeks following discontinuation of treatment. The most frequent adverse events related to treatment with Vaniqa(R) were skin-related adverse events. There are no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women, therefore use cannot be recommended for these patients.

About Women First HealthCare, Inc.

Women First HealthCare, Inc. (Nasdaq:WFHC) is a San Diego-based specialty pharmaceutical company. Founded in 1996, its mission is to help midlife women make informed choices regarding their health care and to provide pharmaceutical products -- the Company's primary emphasis -- and lifestyle products to meet their needs. Women First HealthCare is specifically targeted to women age 40+ and their clinicians. Further information about Women First HealthCare can be found online at www.womenfirst.com, About Us and Investor Relations.

About The Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association

The Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association is a national non-profit organization, primarily operated by women with PCOS. PCOSA exists to provide comprehensive information, support, and advocacy for women and girls with the condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome. Further information about the PCOSA can be found online at www.pcosupport.org.

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "believe," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," and "would." Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, and Women First HealthCare, Inc. cautions you that any forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance. Women First HealthCare, Inc. disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including (i) if we overestimate demand for our products we could be required to write off inventories and/or increase our reserves, and if we underestimate demand we might not be able to fulfill orders for our products; (ii) if our assumptions about our cash generation and usage are incorrect, we may be forced to withhold payment to suppliers, debt holders and others and to file for bankruptcy protection, which could diminish completely the value of an investment in our common stock; (iii) we may not maintain compliance with the new covenant levels established with respect to the senior secured notes; (iv) we have incurred significant losses since we were founded in November 1996, and if midlife women do not use, and their clinicians do not recommend, the products we offer, we will experience losses in the future; (v) there is a limited market awareness of our Company and the products and services we offer; (vi) we may not be able to identify appropriate acquisition, licensing, or co-promotion candidates in the future or to take advantage of the opportunities we identify; (vii) we and our products face significant competition; (viii) our products may not achieve or maintain market acceptance for a variety of reasons, including as a result of recent research published by the National Cancer Institute and the National Institutes of Health concerning estrogen replenishment therapy and combination estrogen/progestin hormonal replenishment therapy in healthy menopausal women, respectively; (ix) if we do not successfully manage any growth we experience, we may experience increased expenses without corresponding revenue increases; (x) we are dependent on single sources of supply for all of the products we offer; (xi) reduced consumer confidence could adversely affect sales by our Consumer Business Division; (xii) our third party suppliers and licensors may terminate their agreements with us earlier than we expect, and as a result we may be unable to continue to market and sell the related pharmaceutical products on an exclusive basis or at all; (xiii) if we overestimate demand for our products, we may be required to write off inventories and/or increase our reserves in future periods, (xiv) we have incurred significant debt obligations which will require us to make debt service payments in the future; and (xv) additional factors set forth in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2002 and its Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2003, June 30, 2003, and September 30, 2003.