Starting the conversation about painful intercourse
It's not always easy bringing up an intimate health issue, but it is important. Vaginal atrophy is a common medical condition after menopause, and there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Your doctor is there to help you, but she or he won't know you are having pain during intercourse unless you say something.
Below are a few thoughts that may make starting the conversation easier. Try the one that you would feel most comfortable saying.
"I'm not really comfortable discussing this, but I have a question about some symptoms that have been bothering me."
"Doctor, I've been having some pain lately when my partner and I are intimate."
"Is it normal for me to experience dryness and pain while being intimate with my partner?"
Questions about what's happening to your body:
- Is this something most women my age experience?
- Is the painful intercourse I'm feeling just a temporary symptom?
- Could it get worse over time?
Questions about treatment options:
- If I do have vaginal atrophy, would a prescription treatment be right for me?
- How is it different than over-the-counter lubricants?
- How long would I need to use a prescription treatment?
- How often would I need to use it?
- When can I expect to feel relief?
Be sure to print this Doctor Discussion Guide and take it with you to your next doctor's appointment.
Important Safety Information
What is the most important information I should know about PREMARIN Vaginal Cream (an estrogen mixture)?
- Using estrogen-alone may increase your chance of getting cancer of the uterus (womb)
- Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are using PREMARIN Vaginal Cream. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb). Your healthcare provider should check any unusual vaginal bleeding to find the cause
- Do not use estrogen-alone to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes or dementia (decline in brain function)
- Using estrogen-alone may increase your chances of getting strokes or blood clots
- Do not use estrogens with progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or dementia
- Using estrogens with progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, or blood clots
- Using estrogens with progestins may increase your chance of getting dementia, based on a study of women age 65 years or older
- You and your healthcare provider should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with PREMARIN Vaginal Cream
PREMARIN® Vaginal Cream is used after menopause to treat menopausal changes in and around the vagina and painful intercourse caused by these changes.
It should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, have or had cancer of the breast or uterus, had a stroke or heart attack, have or had blood clots or liver problems, are allergic to any of its ingredients, or think you may be pregnant.
Most common side effects include headache, infection, abdominal pain, back pain, accidental injury, and vaginitis.
Please see Patient Information. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call
1-800-FDA-1088.