Painful Intercourse | PREMARIN® (conjugated estrogens) Vaginal Cream

Menopause happens in stages

Stage 1:
Perimenopause

Typically begins in mid 40s
Estrogen levels start to decline
Periods may be unpredictable and less frequent

Stage 2:
Menopause

Defined as going without a period for 12 consecutive months
Average age at onset is 52 years
Estrogen levels drop markedly

Stage 3:
Postmenopause

Includes all of the years after menopause
Estrogen levels continue to drop
Symptoms of vaginal atrophy,Vaginal atrophy: The thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal walls. This can occur when your body has less estrogen due to menopausal changes. For many women, vaginal atrophy makes intercourse painful. such as painful intercourse, may worsen over time

There's more to menopause than you may know

Hot flashes and night sweats—that’s what you usually hear about when it comes to menopause. But nobody really tells women that after menopause, intercourse may become painful. And it’s more common than you may think.

of postmenopausal women experience vaginal changes, and painful intercourse called dyspareunia,Dyspareunia: The medical term for painful intercourse. Persistent or recurrent genital pain that occurs just before, during, or after intercourse. is a common symptom.

Why sex may hurt

Before menopause, estrogens help maintain the thickness and elasticity of the vaginal tissue. After menopause, levels of estrogens drop. This can lead to:

Dry and thin vaginal walls
Diminished vaginal blood flow
Painful intercourse

Premarin (conjugated estrogens) Vaginal Cream helps rebuild vaginal walls and helps make sex more comfortable. Learn how Premarin Vaginal Cream may help women with moderate to severe painful intercourse due to menopause.

Talk to your doctor about Premarin Vaginal Cream

Symptoms of vaginal atrophy due to menopause, including painful intercourse, are unlikely to go away on their own. They may even worsen over time. You may be embarrassed to talk to your doctor about your symptoms, but don’t be! Your healthcare provider can properly diagnose your condition. He or she can help you understand your treatment options, including Premarin Vaginal Cream.

We’ve created a Doctor Discussion Guide to help you start the conversation and see if Premarin (conjugated estrogens) Vaginal Cream is right for you.

Download the Doctor Discussion Guide

You should discuss your symptoms as well as your medical history with your doctor before beginning treatment.

Do not start using Premarin Vaginal Cream if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, currently have or have had certain cancers, had a stroke or heart attack, currently have or have had blood clots, currently have or have had liver problems, have been diagnosed with a bleeding disorder, are allergic to Premarin Vaginal Cream or any of its ingredients, or think you may be pregnant.

There are certain risks associated with Premarin Vaginal Cream therapy. Premarin Vaginal Cream should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with the treatment goals and risks for the individual woman.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION AND INDICATION

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 (conjugated estrogens) Vaginal Cream. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus. Your healthcare provider should check any unusual vaginal bleeding to find out the cause.

Do not use estrogens with or without progestins 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. Using estrogens with progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, or blood clots.

Using estrogens, with or without progestins, may increase your chance of getting dementia, based on a study of women 65 years of age or older.

Estrogens should be used at the lowest dose possible, only for as long as needed. You and your healthcare provider should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment.

Premarin Vaginal Cream should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, have, or had cancer, had a stroke or heart attack, have or had blood clots or liver problems, have a bleeding disorder, are allergic to any of its ingredients, or think you may be pregnant. In general, the addition of a progestin is recommended for women with a uterus to reduce the chance of getting cancer of the uterus.

If you take thyroid medication, consult your healthcare provider, as use of estrogens may change the amount needed.

Serious, but less common side effects include heart attack, stroke, blood clots, dementia, breast cancer, cancer of the lining of the uterus, cancer of the ovary, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, gallbladder disease, liver problems, enlargement of benign tumors of the uterus (fibroids), and severe allergic reaction.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following warning signs or any other unusual symptoms that concern you: new breast lumps; unusual vaginal bleeding; changes in vision or speech; sudden new severe headaches; severe pains in your chest or legs with or without shortness of breath, weakness and fatigue; swollen lips, tongue, and face.

Less serious, but common side effects include headache, breast pain, irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting, stomach/abdominal cramps/bloating, nausea and vomiting, hair loss, fluid retention, vaginal yeast infection, reactions from Premarin Vaginal Cream such as vaginal burning, irritation, and itching.

INDICATION

Premarin (conjugated estrogens) Vaginal Cream is used after menopause to treat menopausal changes in and around the vagina and to treat moderate to severe painful intercourse caused by these changes.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING and Patient Information.