Dsypareunia is a condition that affects several women across at some point in their lives. In layman’s language, dyspareunia is painful sexual intercourse. Women often dismiss this condition as they believe sexual intercourse is always painful, and perform the act despite the excruciating pain they experience. Dyspareunia occurs for several reasons that range from structural problems to psychological ones. This condition is characterized by persistent or recurrent pain in the genital area, and it can occur before, during, or after a sexual intercourse.

The symptoms of dyspareunia are as follows:

• Pain experienced during penetration
• Burning pain or aching pain
• Throbbing pain that lasts hours after intercourse
• Pain experienced with each penetration
• Pain experienced while putting in a tampon

Women often trivialize this condition as they believe that it is normal to experience pain during intercourse.

Intrarosa®  is a synthetic version of a steroid called prasterone or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) that is naturally produced by the adrenal glands. This steroid is considered to be the “precursor hormone” that remains inactive until it comes in contact with vaginal or other cells, and eventually stimulates the production of estrogen and testosterone.

Intrarosa® is available in the form a suppository that is inserted into the vagina once daily at bedtime, and it dissolves overnight. The 12-week placebo-controlled clinical trials involving 406 women between the age of 40 and 80, who experienced dyspareunia, yielded desirable results as these women reported a reduced severity in the pain experienced during an intercourse.

Intrarosa® is considered to be a great breakthrough for treating patients with dyspareunia as the other alternative treatments involved performing desensitization therapy or opting for counseling or sex therapy, which didn’t always work for them. However, it is essential to consult with a licensed medical practitioner before using Intrarosa®.