menopauseOur Sex Life

Estrogen Vaginal Inserts That Have a Coconut Base

Imvexxy is a medication with estradiol and coconut oil that comes in inserts that are used in the vagina. The primary purpose of this medication is used to treat painful intercourse due to vaginal atrophy and vulvar changes that occur with menopause (VVA).

Imvexxy is very effective, but it will only work as long as it is used, thus long term use is necessary to treat the VVA that comes with menopause.

Warnings for this product are similar to the warnings listed on the label of all estrogen and estrogen-progesterone combination therapies.

Hormone therapy has been shown to have a great list of benefits, but given in higher doses than Imvexxy there are reports of uterine cancer, breast cancer dementia and cardiovascular side effects such as stroke, DVT, blood clot to the lung (pulmonary embolism), and heart attacks. In some cases these complications were reported with progesterone and estrogen combinations. Imvexxy is designed to be given without progesterone

The most common side effect of Imvexxy was headache, although the rates of headache were similar to the rates of headache in the placebo group.

Anyone on hormone therapy could have gall bladder disease, elevated calcium levels, complaints of vision loss, elevated triglycerides, worsening of medical conditions such as migraines or diabetes.

Systemic addition of bioidentical therapy, such as testosterone, can be helpful in addressing all the concerns above.

Some women on systemic hormone therapy can still benefit from some vaginal therapy, however, for those wishing to avoid hormone therapy, treatments such as ThermiVa, MonaLisa Touch, and the Emsella are available.

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Suzanne Trupin, MD, Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and owner of Women's Health Practice, Hada Cosmetic Medicine, and Hatha Yoga and Fitness

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