What should I know before taking Osphena?

Osphena helps relieve vaginal dryness and painful intercourse; side effects include hot flashes, sweating, vaginal discharge, and increases in UTIs and clotting. Watch OB/GYN Jennifer Ashton, MD, discuss what you should know before taking Osphena.

Transcript

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Benefits, it does invigorate the vaginal tissue in postmenopausal women and can lessen the discomfort

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associated with intercourse in women who are in a low-estrogen state. [MUSIC PLAYING]

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Well, with any medication, you always have to go over the pros and cons, and for Osphena, things are no different.

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You want to ask your health care provider about the risks, the benefits, and the alternatives or options. Now, when you talk about a drug like Osphena,

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the risks are considerable, like any medication. This is a pill you take every single day.

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So it is being absorbed all over the body, even though it's working in an estrogen-positive manner,

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really, just in and around the vagina. But side effects of Osphena, hot flashes, excessive sweating,

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vaginal discharge, and increase of urinary tract infections, and a slight increase in clotting, just as you would see with any other hormone

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or a hormonal-like medication. Benefits, it does invigorate the vaginal tissue in postmenopausal women and can lessen the discomfort

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associated with intercourse in women who are in a low-estrogen state. But there are also alternatives.

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And there are a number of very good, very safe and effective alternatives, both prescription medication,