Syvonia Spencer
AH 135 Pharmacology
DA#1 – September 4, 2013
Drug Treating Sexual Pain among Postmenopausal Women Approved By FDA
This week’s drug article speaks a new drug called Osphena (Ospemifeme) that has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of Dyspareunia (painful sex) in women who are postmenopausal. About 32 million postmenopausal women suffer with it. Dyspareunia happens when a woman’s estrogen levels drop then causes VVA (Vulvar & Vaginal Atrophy) during menopause. Inflammation of the vagina also occurs. The vagina shrinks and the vaginal tissue thins. The drug Osphena was found to be very effective relieving pain that was experienced when having sex. The drug also stimulates the lining of the uterus making it thicker. It is not good for a woman that doesn’t have a period anymore experience thickening in her uterus. Doctors call this a side effect and the patient is warned before taking the drug. It is thought that the drug Osphena has been associated with hemorrhagic or thrombotic strokes, and endometrial cancer. Because Osphena is a risk to use it is advised to be taken for the shortest time possible and the women should have treatment goals. Women may experience a genital discharge, hot flashes, vaginal discharge, muscle spasms, or profuse sweating as other side effects. The effectiveness of the drug was assessed in three studies. The first two studies revealed that after twelve weeks of taking the drug once a day with food, most of the women felt better. Some women were given a placebo. The third study identified long-term safety of taking the drug. Another FDA approved drug for postmenopausal women is called Premarin. It is a vaginal cream that was the first form of vaginal estrogen therapy. It treats moderate to severe dyspareunia. A prescription is needed for both therapies. The approval of Osphena can be viewed as a remarkable treatment option that will allow this population of women to continue to engage in normal sexual activity without bothersome pain associated with declining levels of estrogen. For a lot of women this can lead to improvement in the quality of life and take part in an activity that they may have avoided in the past.
References
Nordquist, J. (2013, February 27). “Drug Treating Sexual Pain among Postmenopausal Women Approved By FDA.” Medical News Today. Retrieved from http:// www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/257232.php
