A New Treatment for Sexual Pain Associated with Menopausal Genital Atrophy

On November 17, 2016, the FDA approved vaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, prasterone) for menopausal women with genital atrophy who experienced moderate to severe pain with sexual intercourse (also known as genitourinary syndrome of menopause). The efficacy and safety of daily 0.5% DHEA (6.5 mg vaginal ovules) was established in four 12-week placebo-controlled trials as well as a 1-year open-label trial. Vaginal discharge was the most common adverse effect.