Intrarosa

Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD on May 14, 2023
Written by Helen Marshall, BPharm, MRPharmS

This article describes Intrarosa’s uses, side effects, and more. Below you’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of Intrarosa.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about Intrarosa.

How does Intrarosa compare with estradiol vaginal inserts (Vagifem)?

Intrarosa vaginal inserts and estradiol vaginal inserts, such as Vagifem, are used for painful sex due to vaginal changes from menopause.

However, Intrarosa is different from estradiol vaginal inserts. It contains prasterone, which is an inactive steroid. Your body changes prasterone into the hormones estradiol (the main form of estrogen) and testosterone.

Studies have shown that Intrarosa and estradiol vaginal inserts can be equally effective. These medications have some similar and some different side effects.

To learn more about how Intrarosa compares with estradiol vaginal inserts or other treatment options, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can Intrarosa cause breast cancer?

It’s not known whether Intrarosa can cause breast cancer, but it’s unlikely. No cases of breast cancer were reported in studies of Intrarosa.

Oral forms of estrogen (taken by mouth) can raise the risk of developing breast cancer. Intrarosa is changed into estrogen in your body, but the estrogen levels are much lower than with oral forms of estrogen. Intrarosa works in your vagina specifically, not throughout your entire body.

Still, it’s not known whether Intrarosa is safe for people who’ve ever had breast cancer. It hasn’t been studied in this group of people. If you’re concerned about your risk of breast cancer with Intrarosa, talk with your doctor.

Is weight gain or hair loss a side effect of Intrarosa?

No, these aren’t known to be side effects of Intrarosa. Weight gain and hair loss weren’t reported in studies of Intrarosa.

However, weight gain and hair loss can be symptoms of menopause. Keep in mind that Intrarosa is used in people who are having vaginal symptoms related to menopause.

If you’re concerned about weight gain or hair loss while using Intrarosa, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to help manage these changes.

How does Intrarosa work? And how long does it take to start working?

Intrarosa works to increase the amount of estrogen in your vaginal tissues. This helps reduce dryness, itchiness, and soreness, which can help make sex less painful.

Specifically, Intrarosa contains a drug called prasterone. Prasterone is the same as a natural steroid produced by your adrenal glands called dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Your body changes DHEA into estradiol (the main form of estrogen) and testosterone. Your body changes prasterone into these hormones in the same way.

Intrarosa starts working soon after you start using it. But it may take up to 12 weeks to get full relief from your symptoms.

If you have questions about what to expect with Intrarosa or how the drug works, you can talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Intrarosa may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of Intrarosa and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about Intrarosa’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information for Intrarosa.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with Intrarosa are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Intrarosa’s mild side effects include:

• vaginal discharge
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Intrarosa” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of Intrarosa are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Intrarosa’s serious side effects include:

• abnormal Pap smear test results
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Intrarosa” section.

The dosage of Intrarosa your doctor prescribes may vary based on your condition and certain other factors. Talk with your doctor about the dosage you should use.

Inserting Intrarosa

Intrarosa vaginal inserts are inserted into your vagina using the applicator provided with the medication.

Your doctor will talk with you about how to use Intrarosa. They’ll explain how much to use and how often. Always follow your doctor’s recommendation.

Overdose of Intrarosa

You should not use more Intrarosa than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to serious side effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve used too much Intrarosa, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Intrarosa for certain conditions. Intrarosa’s approved use is described below.

Use for vaginal pain

Doctors may prescribe Intrarosa for treating painful sex caused by vaginal changes related to menopause. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With menopause, your ovaries make less and less of the hormone estrogen. The lack of estrogen can have many effects throughout your body. For example, it can cause the tissues in and around your vagina to become thinner. This can lead to symptoms such as dryness, itchiness, and soreness in and around your vagina. As a result, you may have vaginal pain during or after sex.

Intrarosa increases the amount of estrogen in your vaginal tissues. This can reduce vaginal dryness, itchiness, and soreness, which can help make sex less painful.

You may be able to save money on your prescription for Intrarosa by using our Perks discount coupons. They can be found at the end of this article.

If you have questions about how to pay for Intrarosa, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Below, you’ll find information about Intrarosa’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of Intrarosa

Intrarosa isn’t known to interact with any medications or supplements. (Interactions can affect how a drug works.) But this doesn’t mean drug interactions with Intrarosa won’t happen or be reported sometime. For instance, medications created at a later time could interact with Intrarosa.

Because of this, you should ask your doctor and pharmacist about possible interactions with Intrarosa. They can check for any interactions that may affect you, such as those with:

• vaccines
• foods
• alcohol
• other drugs

Warnings for Intrarosa

Intrarosa should not be used by certain people and should be used cautiously by certain other people.

Intrarosa could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether Intrarosa is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for Intrarosa, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Intrarosa can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Intrarosa or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Intrarosa. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to Intrarosa, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and Intrarosa

Information about Intrarosa and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below. Keep in mind that Intrarosa is prescribed for use in people who have gone through menopause, so pregnancy during treatment is unlikely.

Intrarosa and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Intrarosa should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Intrarosa and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Intrarosa should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

This article describes Intrarosa’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about Intrarosa or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Can I use Intrarosa with vaginal lubricants?
• Can I use Intrarosa with oral or patch hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?
• What are my other treatment options if Intrarosa doesn’t work for me?

• Archer DF, et al. (2017). Comparison of intravaginal 6.5mg (0.50%) prasterone, 0.3mg conjugated estrogens and 10μg estradiol on symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28323042/
• Intrarosa (prasterone) vaginal inserts. (2018). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/208470s001lbl.pdf

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.