Genital herpes affects more than 500 million globally and it is incurable. In the US alone, 1 million people are diagnosed every year with herpes. Herpes causes painful viral outbreaks, significant psychological stress, and social stigma. Even though women are more prone to genital herpes, the available prevention option, condoms, is controlled by the male partner. The solution is a new female-controlled product called HerShield, a vaginally applied, soft and flexible pharmaceutical film that has proven safety in two phase I clinical trials, and provides sufficient quantities of drug for protection from herpes. HerShield is designed to be discrete, exceptionally portable, low cost, biodegradable, and easily self-administered without the need for an applicator.