7 Things to Know About Increasing Female Lubrication With Osphena

If you’ve gone through menopause and you’re struggling with vaginal dryness or pain during sex, you’re not alone. More than half of post-menopausal women suffer from vaginal symptoms. The good news is that there are treatment options available, such as Osphena.

Osphena (ospemifene) treats vaginal dryness and painful sex caused by menopause. It’s a type of medication called a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). After menopause, your body makes much less estrogen. This can cause vaginal tissues to become thin, dry, and more sensitive. Osphena stimulates estrogen receptors in the vaginal area, which can increase lubrication. 

Here, we’ll answer 8 common questions you may have about taking Osphena to increase vaginal lubrication after menopause. 

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1. Who can take Osphena?

Osphena is only approved for women who have gone through menopause. And it can be taken whether or not you still have your uterus.

But Osphena may not be the best choice for you if you have certain medical conditions, such as:

• Vaginal bleeding without a known cause

• History of estrogen-dependent cancer

• History of stroke, heart attack, or heart disease

• History of blood clots

• Severe liver disease

• Breast cancer

Pregnancy after menopause is rare. But you shouldn’t take Osphena if you are or may become pregnant. That’s because Osphena may harm the fetus.

Your healthcare provider can help you decide if Osphena is a safe option for you. 

2. How should I take Osphena?

Osphena comes as a 60 mg tablet that you’ll take once a day. It’s recommended to take Osphena with food, which will help your body absorb the medication.

It doesn’t matter when you take Osphena, but it’s best to take it around the same time each day.  

3. How long does it take Osphena to work?

Once you start taking Osphena every day, you can expect to start feeling the effects in about a month. In the meantime, you can still use non-medicated vaginal lubricants and moisturizers to help manage your symptoms.

4. How long can I take Osphena?

It’s recommended to take Osphena for the shortest amount of time possible. This is because taking Osphena can raise your risk of endometrial cancer, stroke, and blood clots. In fact, the FDA issued a black box warning (the most serious type of medication warning) for these side effects.

These risks occur because although Osphena is not a hormone, it acts like estrogen in some areas of your body. And estrogen is associated with these health risks when women take it after menopause. 

There doesn’t seem to be a higher risk of endometrial cancer if you take Osphena for less than 1 year. But the risk goes up significantly the longer you take it. Studies have shown a higher risk of stroke within the first year of treatment and a higher risk of blood clots within the first 2 years of treatment.

It’s a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider every 3 to 6 months to discuss if you should continue taking Osphena. This also allows them to check for any signs of serious side effects. If you experience any unusual vaginal bleeding, have trouble breathing, or notice swelling or pain in one leg, be sure to seek medical care right away.

5. What can I do if I experience side effects from Osphena?

Some common side effects from Osphena include:

• Hot flashes

• Increased sweating

• Vaginal discharge

• Headache

• Muscle spasms

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if these side effects are bothersome or don’t go away over time. They can offer advice on how to manage them.

As mentioned, Osphena may increase your risk of endometrial cancer, stroke, or blood clots. Seek medical care right away if you experience symptoms that could be a sign of these more serious side effects:

• New or unusual vaginal bleeding

• Swelling or pain in your legs

• Dizziness or fainting

• Weakness or numbness in an arm or leg

• Chest pain

• Sudden, severe headache

6. Does Osphena have drug interactions?

Yes, there are some medications that interact with Osphena. Examples include:

• Medications containing estrogen, such as estradiol (Estrace)

• Other SERMs, such as tamoxifen (Soltamox) and raloxifene (Evista)

• Fluconazole (Diflucan)

• Omeprazole (Prilosec)

This is not a complete list of Osphena drug interactions. It’s always a good idea to give your healthcare provider and pharmacist a list of all the medications and supplements you take. This can help them screen for drug interactions in order to keep you safe.

7. What happens if I miss my dose of Osphena?

If you forget your dose of Osphena, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip your missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Don’t take two doses at once.

If you miss more than one dose of Osphena, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about how to get back on your normal dosing schedule. And consider trying a medication reminder app to help you remember to take your medication every day.

How to save on Osphena

There ways to save on Osphena, 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 a 30-day supply of Osphena at an exclusive cash price of $99.

• Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $35 for Osphena using a savings card from the manufacturer.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh, has 10 years of experience as a pharmacist. She has worked in a variety of settings, including retail, hospital, and ambulatory care.

Edited by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

Reviewed by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

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