Osphena Description

Menopause should be a time in a woman’s life when she can enjoy being liberated from monthly periods and birth control devices or pills because her child-bearing years have come to an end. Now you and your spouse or partner can be intimate and really take pleasure in reconnecting unless you are among the female population that finds having intercourse painful after menopause. This is called dyspareunia and can occur from vulval or vaginal atrophy as a result of decreased estrogen levels. You should talk to your doctor about Osphena, a once-daily oral drug that is a non-hormonal selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM).

Osphena (Ospemifene) is absorbed into your system, including your vaginal wall causing it to become thicker again and thereby making sexual intercourse pleasurable by reducing any pain. As estrogen levels decline, your uterus is no longer required for producing children so the lining becomes thin and there is less mucus production. Over the counter vaginal gels, creams, and jellies can offer temporary relief from dyspareunia, but it cannot improve the vaginal tissue. If you have not had a hysterectomy, your doctor may advise you to also take a progestin to help reduce the risk of endometrial cancer.

Conditions Treated by Osphena

The reduction of estrogen during menopause may cause hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness for a good percentage of women. And just because Osphena helped you, does not mean it will help your menopausal neighbor because all women are different. The added benefits of Osphena include the fact that, as a SERM, it will activate receptors in your bones to help reduce osteoarthritis as well as deactivates estrogen stimulation in your breasts to reduce the risk of cancer while staying neutral to your uterus.

Before You Take Osphena

Make certain there is no chance that you are pregnant before taking Osphena. Your doctor may want to undergo some testing before you take Osphena as this medication should only be prescribed if low estrogen levels are to blame for your dyspareunia. Tell your doctor about other medical conditions or allergies you have and any OTC or Rx drugs you take, including herbal remedies and dietary or vitamin supplements, so it can be determined if it is safe for you to take Osphena.

Warnings for Osphena

You may have an increased risk for coronary heart disease, stroke, or a venous thromboembolism when taking Osphena so it may be recommended only for a short-term period with regular doctor exams every three to six months. You may need to stop taking Osphena if you are undergoing any medical procedures that require bed rest as your risk for blood clots can increase.

Possible Side Effects of Osphena

• Increased sweating or hot flashes
• Vaginal discharge
• Muscle spasms

Drugs Similar to Osphena

• Evista
• Divigel
• Estrogel