Intrinsa

Intrinsa is the first approved drug to specifically address a woman's sexual needs. Intrinsa patches are available in pack sizes of 2, 8 and 24. The patches release small amounts of testosterone to increase women's sexual desires.

What is Intrinsa?

Intrinsa is the first approved drug to specifically address a woman's sexual needs. Intrinsa is a transdermal patch which constantly releases small amounts of testosterone that is absorbed through your skin into the bloodstream. Intrinsa treats women who have had both their ovaries and womb removed and suffers Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD). The testosterone in Intrinsa is the same hormone as that produced naturally in men and women. Intrinsa will help women rediscover their sexual desires and closeness with their partners.

Trials involving over 500 women who had had their womb removed (hysterectomies) found the Intrinsa patch led to a 74% increase in satisfying sex.

How does Intrinsa work?

After removal of the ovaries, a woman's testosterone is reduced to half of the levels compared to before the operation. This decrease in testosterone has been associated with low sexual desire, reduced sexual thoughts and reduced sexual arousal. Any of these problems can cause personal distress, insecurity or relationship difficulties.

The active substance in Intrinsa, testosterone, is a natural sex hormone produced in men and to a lesser extent in women. Low testosterone levels have been associated with low sexual desire and reduced sexual thoughts and arousal. In women who have had their uterus and ovaries removed, the amount of testosterone produced is halved. Intrinsa releases testosterone through the skin into the bloodstream to obtain testosterone levels that match the levels before surgery.

Who should take Intrinsa?

Intrinsa is used to treat women who have had their both their ovaries and uterus (womb) removed, and suffer from a lack of sexual thoughts and sexual desire that causes them distress. It is used in patients already taking an estrogen (a female sex hormone).

New research from an independent market analysis company has found that over 40% of women suffer from sexual problems, but less than 20% of them approach their physician for help.

Part of the problem, say the researchers, is that female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is an ill-defined condition with a range of physical and psychological symptoms. With no widely accepted guidelines for diagnosing the condition, women seeking help for FSD can find themselves left with a diagnosis ranging from depression to dyspareunia, or even no diagnosis at all.

You should take Intrinsa if you:

• Have a low sexual desire which is causing distress or concern and
• Have had both of their ovaries removed and
• Have had their womb removed (hysterectomy) and
• Are receiving estrogen therapy

It may take longer than one month for you to notice an improvement after taking Intrinsa. If you have not experienced positive effect of Intrinsa within 3-6 months, you should inform your doctor, who may suggest that treatment be discontinued.

What are the doses of Intrinsa?

Intrinsa is available in packs of 2, 8 and 24 patches.

How is Intrinsa used?

Intrinsa is used as a continuous treatment, with a new patch being applied every 3 to 4 days and replaced with a new one in a different place. The patch is applied to dry, clean skin on the lower abdomen (on the tummy, below the waist). The same place must not be used again until at least 7 days later.

Who should not take Intrinsa?

Do not use Intrinsa if you suffer from any of the following conditions:

• If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to testosterone or any of the other ingredients of Intrinsa
• If you know that you have had in the past, currently have, or think that you might have, breast cancer or any other cancer which your doctor has described as being caused or stimulated by the emale hormone estrogen, also called 'estrogen-dependent' cancers
• If you have other conditions that your doctor may consider not appropriate for the use of estrogen and/or testosterone

Please take special care with Intrinsa if you suffer from any of the following conditions:

• If you have a history of heart, liver or kidney disease
• If you are diabetic, as testosterone may lower blood glucose levels
• If you have a history of excessive adult acne, body or facial hair, hair loss, enlargement of the clitoris or voice deepening or hoarseness

If you have any of the above, tell your doctor before you start to use Intrinsa. Your doctor will advise you on what you should do.

What are the side effects of Intrinsa?

Like all medicines, Intrinsa can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Tell your doctor immediately:

• If you experience hair loss, enlargement of the clitoris, an increase in the amount of hair on the chin or upper lip, voice deepening or hoarseness, although these side effects may be mild. They are usually reversible if Intrinsa treatment is discontinued
• You should self assess for increased acne, increased hair growth on your face, loss of hair, deepening of your voice or enlargement of your clitoris, which all could be signs of adverse effects of testosterone, which is the active substance in Intrinsa
• If you notice any skin reactions at the site of application such as redness, edema, or blistering. In case of severe application site reaction, the treatment should be discontinued

The following side effects may occur commonly (in more than 1 out of 10 patients) at the site of the skin where the patch is applied:

• Rash
• Irritation
• Itching
• Redness

The following side effects may occur commonly (in more than 1 out of 100 patients), but most of them are mild in nature and reversible:

• Increase in the amount of hair on the chin or upper lip
• Hair loss
• Acne
• Migraine
• Insomnia/inability to sleep properly
• Voice deepening or hoarseness
• Breast pain
• Weight gain

If any of the side effects mentioned above get serious or you suffer from any other side effects not listed above, please tell your doctor straight away.