Prasterone for Vulvovaginal Atrophy – What is it and How to Prescribe

CLINICAL ACTIONS:

Vulvovaginal atrophy is a common symptom of atrophic vaginitis (also referred to as the genitourinary syndrome of menopause or GSM) and can occur in both perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. If a patient reports vaginal dryness consider the following:

• Confirm diagnosis of postmenopausal atrophy through vaginal exam
• Discuss use of vaginal estrogen as an option
• If patient is not an appropriate candidate for local estrogen or if patient would prefer not to use a direct estrogen product, prasterone may be an effective alternative
  • One vaginal insert (6.5 mg of prasterone) each evening at bedtime

SYNOPSIS:

Prasterone is an approved, steroid-based FDA treatment for postmenopausal vaginal atrophy. Use is appropriate for women who complain of dyspareunia, or general discomfort due to dryness and thinning of the vaginal mucosa.

KEY POINTS:

• During perimenopause and menopause, estrogen levels decline in vaginal tissues and is referred to as vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA), which may result in discomfort or pain during intercourse
  • Local estrogen can be considered a first line treatment of VVA but may not be appropriate or desired by all patients
• The FDA approved prasterone to treat women experiencing moderate to severe dyspareunia, a symptom of VVA, due to menopause
  • Prasterone is the first FDA approved product containing the synthetic active ingredient dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
• DHEA can convert to androgens and/or estrogens and, while the likelihood is low and the quantities minimal, a physician should disclose the following
  • Based on the fact that there is minimal data on safety in the setting of hormonally sensitive malignancy, the FDA warns against using prasterone if there is a history of or known or suspected breast cancer
  • Unexplained uterine bleeding is a contraindication to use
  • It is indicated for use only in postmenopausal women

Learn More – Primary Sources:

FDA approves Intrarosa for postmenopausal women experiencing pain during sex

FDA: Prescribing information for Intrarosa (prasterone)

ACOG Committee Opinion No. 659: The Use of Vaginal Estrogen in Women With a History of Estrogen Dependent Breast Cancer

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause: an overview of clinical manifestations, pathophysiology, etiology, evaluation, and management