I'm a man and I've always thought that women's bikes, with the lower top bars, appear to have have significant usability advantages over men's bikes, even for men, as pointed out by PEIslander above. (1) It is easier to hop on and off with a lower bar. (2) In case of a sudden stop, a collision, or a near miss, there's more of a buffer between one's crotch and the top bar. The only non-social disadvantage I can see with a lower bar is that it might not be as structurally bulletproof - but this surely isn't a major factor except maybe for racers or long-haul travelers or the like.
So, if I was looking for a bike and I found a women's style bike in an appropriate size at a good price, I'd definitely take it! (On the other hand, I also agree with previous posters who've suggested that if one is socially uncomfortable riding a women's bike, it might be better to wait and find something that one will unambiguously enjoy riding. Even if a single shop only has a few good options, there is no scarcity of good used bikes of all sorts in the broader market.)