How Does Imvexxy Work? Plus, 5 More Imvexxy FAQs
Key takeaways:
Imvexxy (estradiol vaginal insert) is a prescription medication that can help reduce painful sex caused by menopause. It doesn’t help relieve hot flashes or night sweats.
Imvexxy works by boosting estrogen levels in the vagina that naturally drop during menopause. Low estrogen levels often cause vaginal thinning, which can make sex painful.
Imvexxy usually starts working within 2 weeks. But it can take up to 8 weeks (about 2 months) to see its full benefits.
There are ways to save on Imvexxy. GoodRx can help you access Imvexxy at an exclusive cash price of $85. A manufacturer savings card is also available.
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Table of contents
Menopause brings a lot of changes with it. For many women, this includes vaginal dryness which can make sex uncomfortable or painful. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be an effective way to help manage menopause symptoms.
Imvexxy (estradiol vaginal insert) is a prescription medication that can help relieve painful sex due to menopause. It’s a small, softgel capsule that you insert into your vagina. Imvexxy is a form of HRT.
But how does Imvexxy work for painful sex? And how fast will it start working? Below you’ll find the answers to these and other frequently asked questions about Imvexxy.
1. How does Imvexxy work?
Like other vaginal estrogens, Imvexxy works by raising levels of estrogen in the vagina.
During menopause, your ovaries stop producing estrogen and other hormones. Estrogen is responsible for many processes in the body, including keeping the vagina lubricated. The drop in estrogen levels can cause the tissue in and around the vagina to become thin (vaginal atrophy). And this can make sex painful.
By replenishing estrogen levels, Imvexxy restores your vaginal tissues. And this can help make sex less painful.
Does Imvexxy help with hot flashes?
No. Imvexxy doesn’t help with hot flashes or night sweats. It’s only FDA approved to treat moderately to severely painful sexual intercourse that’s caused by menopause. The amount of estrogen that the body absorbs from Imvexxy is very small. These levels aren’t high enough to help relieve menopause symptoms that affect the whole body, such as hot flashes.
If you’re experiencing hot flashes or night sweats, speak with your prescriber. They may recommend a different type of HRT.
Pain during sex: Menopause is one of several reasons why pain during sex happens. Read about the other common causes of painful sex and how you can help relieve it.
Comparing options: Imvexxy is one of several vaginal estrogen products. Read more about the different vaginal estrogen products used for menopause symptoms.
Better sex after menopause: Menopause means the end to menstruation — not the end of your sex life. Read here for tips on enhancing your sex life and achieving better orgasms after menopause.
2. How long does it take for Imvexxy to work?
Imvexxy starts to work relatively quickly. Many women notice an improvement within 2 weeks of starting it. But it may take about 8 weeks (2 months) to see Imvexxy’s full benefits. If you haven’t noticed any improvement after 2 months of using Imvexxy, let your prescriber know. They may suggest changing your Imvexxy dosage or trying a different form of HRT.
3. Is Imvexxy made from horse urine?
No, Imvexxy isn’t made from horse urine. Its active ingredient, estradiol, is made in a lab and acts similarly to natural estrogen. In fact, many HRT products contain estradiol as their active ingredient.
However, some estrogen products are made from the urine of pregnant horses. These are known as conjugated equine estrogens. This is the active ingredient in Premarin tablets and Premarin Vaginal Cream.
Is Imvexxy a bioidentical hormone?
Yes, Imvexxy is a bioidentical hormone. A bioidentical hormone is a hormone made in a lab that’s almost identical to natural hormones made by the body. Estradiol is one of several FDA-approved bioidentical hormones.
4. Can Imvexxy cause a UTI?
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) aren’t listed as a side effect in Imvexxy’s labeling. In fact, vaginal estrogens such as Imvexxy can actually help lower the risk of UTIs. The drop in estrogen that happens during menopause makes these infections more likely to happen. By using HRT to help raise estrogen levels, you may experience UTIs less frequently.
Symptoms of a UTI can include pain or burning while peeing. If you start having UTIs more often than usual after starting Imvexxy, let your prescriber know. They can help determine the cause and what steps you should take next.
5. What’s the difference between Vagifem and Imvexxy?
Vagifem is another vaginal estrogen product. Like Imvexxy, Vagifem contains estradiol. But there are some key differences between the two medications:
Vagifem | Imvexxy | |
Dosage form | Vaginal tablet | Vaginal capsule |
Available doses | 10 mcg | 4 mcg, 10 mcg |
Insertion process | Comes with an applicator to use during insertion | Requires you to insert the capsule with your fingers |
Approved uses | Can help relieve vaginal dryness and thinning due to menopause | Can help reduce pain during sex that’s caused by menopause |
Does it have a generic version available? | Yes | No |
Your prescriber will take your symptoms, preferences, and insurance coverage into account when recommending Vagifem or Imvexxy.
6. Is there a generic for Imvexxy?
As mentioned above, Imvexxy doesn’t have a generic version available yet. But there are other vaginal estrogen products that have generic versions available. Keep in mind that the doses for these are higher than the lower 4 mcg Imvexxy dose. So switching may not be the right option for you.
If cost is preventing you from using Imvexxy, let your prescriber know. They can let you know if another vaginal estrogen product that has a lower-cost generic would be OK for you to use. They can also review savings opportunities for Imvexxy and other estrogen products to try to lower your costs.
How to save on Imvexxy
There are ways to save on Imvexxy, which is available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between GoodRx coupons and copay savings cards to save money on your prescription.
Save with GoodRx: Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to purchase 8 capsules of Imvexxy at an exclusive cash price of $85.
Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $35 for Imvexxy using a savings card from the manufacturer.
The bottom line
Imvexxy (estradiol vaginal insert) is a prescription medication that can help reduce pain during sex that’s caused by menopause. It doesn’t help with hot flashes or night sweats. Imvexxy works by raising estrogen levels that naturally drop during menopause.
Most people notice symptom improvement within 2 weeks of starting Imvexxy. But it may take up to 8 weeks to see the medication’s full benefits. Your prescriber or pharmacist can help answer other questions you may have about Imvexxy.
Why trust our experts?
References
American College or Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2023). Compounded bioidentical menopausal hormone therapy.
Bleibel, B., et al. (2023). Vaginal atrophy. StatPearls.
Cichowski, S. B. (2023). UTIs after menopause: Why they’re common and what to do about them.
Constantine, G. D., et al. (2017). The REJOICE trial: A phase 3 randomized, controlled trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of a novel vaginal estradiol soft-gel capsule for symptomatic vulvar and vaginal atrophy. Menopause.
Files, J. A., et al. (2011). Bioidentical hormone therapy. Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Mayne Pharma LLC. (2024). Imvexxy [package insert].
Novo Nordisk. (2023). Vagifem [package insert].
Peacock, K., et al. (2023). Menopause. StatPearls.
Santen, R. J., et al. (2020). Systemic estradiol levels with low-dose vaginal estrogens. Menopause.
Tan-Kim, J., et al. (2012). Efficacy of vaginal estrogen for recurrent urinary tract infection prevention in hypoestrogenic women. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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