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Menopause Symptoms May Hamper Sex
Oct. 5, 2007 -- Menopausal symptoms dim the sex lives of many women, according to a new online survey.
Murray Freedman, MD, and colleagues from the Medical College of Georgia evaluated the survey, which was conducted by Harris Interactive in late June and early July. They presented their findings yesterday in Dallas at the North American Menopause Society.
More than 1,000 women aged 35 and older completed the survey. The women indicated that they were nearing menopause, currently going through menopause, or were postmenopausal.
Most of the women -- 81% -- reported menopausal symptoms. Nearly 60% of those women noted vaginal symptoms ( vaginal dryness, pain during sex, vaginal narrowing, or vaginal shrinkage) or increased urinary tract infections.
Among women reporting vaginal narrowing or vaginal shrinkage (known medically as vaginal atrophy), 88% indicated that they found that symptom to be "at least somewhat problematic," 78% said it affected their sex life, and 47% said they had stopped or avoided sex because of physical discomfort.
The study was funded by the menopause education group Red Hot Mamas and Duramed Pharmaceuticals, which makes the estrogen drug Enjuvia for menopausal symptoms.
(Has your sex life changed after menopause? Tell us about it on WebMD's Menopause: Support Group message board.)
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VIVELLE-DOT (estradiol transdermal system) IS AVAILABLE BY PRESCRPTION ONLY.
INDICATION
Vivelle-Dot is used after menopause to: reduce moderate to severe hot flashes; treat moderate to severe dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina; help reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis (thin weak bones); and treat certain conditions in which a young woman's ovaries do not produce enough estrogens naturally. Vivelle-Dot 0.025 mg/day is only used to prevent osteoporosis from menopause. If you use Vivelle-Dot only to treat your dryness, itching, and burning in and around your vagina or if you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb).
Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogens with progestins may increase your risk of dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills).
Vivelle-Dot should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant.
The most common side effects that may occur with Vivelle-Dot are headache, breast tenderness, and back pain.
You and your healthcare professional should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Vivelle-Dot.
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.
Please see Full Prescribing Information for Vivelle-Dot.
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