What is Intrarosa?
Intrarosa is a topical preparation of the corticosteroid prasterone, formulated as a vaginal insert. It is intended for treating one of the symptoms of estrogen withdrawal in women who have reached menopause.
Prasterone – the active ingredient in Intrarosa – is a type of naturally occurring hormone known as DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). DHEA is produced in the adrenal glands and the ovaries and then converted by the body to the female sex hormone estrogen.
Estrogen-based medications are available to treat menopausal symptoms by the intravaginal or systemic route (i.e. by oral medications, or skin patches or gels). However, some women can't use estrogen therapies because of contraindications, such as a history of blood clots, heart attack, or certain estrogen-responsive cancers. As well, some women are uncomfortable using estrogen-containing hormone replacement therapies due to concerns about potential side effects.
Intrarosa is the only available intravaginal DHEA product and thereby provides an attractive option for women who can't or are not comfortable using estrogen medications.
Conditions Treated by Intrarosa
As women enter and progress in menopause, their levels of the female sex hormone estrogen drop. Estrogen supports the health of the lining of the vagina, so withdrawal of estrogen during menopause results in atrophy (thinning of the lining of the vagina).
The menopausal thinning of the vaginal wall is accompanied by reduced vaginal secretions, resulting in dryness, itching, burning, and sometimes even bleeding.
These changes can cause discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse, a symptom known as dyspareunia. Intrarosa is used to treat moderate to severe dyspareunia, by restoring and supporting a healthy vaginal lining. Intrarosa provides the required hormonal stimulation to restore the vaginal lining to its robust pre-menopausal physiology.
What are the Side Effects of Intrarosa?
The Intrarosa side effect profile is one of the most attractive attributes of this medication.
Intrarosa has a highly favourable side effect profile because absorption of the hormone into the blood stream is minimal, and thus avoids many of the side effects of systemic hormone replacement therapy.1,2
In clinical studies, the most common Intrarosa side effect was vaginal discharge, which is the only side effect that occurred more often than in placebo.2 The other reported Intrarosa side effect was Pap smear abnormalities.3
Other Intrarosa side effects may be possible, but there are no other side effects described in the relevant prescribing information.3 Should you experience any adverse effects you should discuss these with your physician.
Intrarosa reviews are mixed, with some reviewers having little in the way of side effects, while other reviewers have experienced several unwanted side effects. Therefore, as with any medication, it is advisable to discuss possible side effects with your doctor before you buy Intrarosa online.
What you Should Know Before Using Intrarosa
Before you buy Intrarosa online, please consult with your health care provider as you will require a prescription to buy it online from any reputable online pharmacy. Intravaginal hormone therapy with Intrarosa is effective at quickly eliminating the pain and discomfort of moderate to severe dyspareunia, but it does not alleviate the systemic symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, and does not reduce the risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Intrarosa should not be used by women who are experiencing abnormal genital bleeding until the cause of the bleed has been properly assessed and diagnosed.
Intrarosa is only intended for use in postmenopausal women. It should not be used by women who are pregnant or lactating, and it has not been tested in women who have or have had breast cancer.
Intrarosa is a relatively new product. As such, it has not yet been tested head-to-head against estrogen-based intravaginal preparations, so it is unknown how its effectiveness directly compares with those products.