What is menopause?Menopause is a transitional stage in a woman’s life when the ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone, and menstruation becomes less frequent, eventually stopping altogether. Menopause marks the permanent end to fertility.
There are 2 types of menopause: natural menopause, which typically occurs around age 51, and surgical or induced menopause, which can occur at any age between the first and last menstrual cycles.
What is perimenopause?
In the years before you reach menopause, your body starts to produce less estrogen and progesterone, and your periods may become irregular. This time is called perimenopause. Even though your periods are irregular, you can still get pregnant during perimenopause.
When you have not had a period for 12 months in a row, it is likely that you have reached menopause. The exception to this rule is if you have been ill, pregnant, breastfeeding, or using any medicines that could cause your menstrual periods to stop.
What is surgical menopause?
Some women require an operation called a bilateral oophorectomy, in which both ovaries are removed. When this happens, menopause occurs immediately.
What are the most common symptoms of menopause?
The most common symptoms are hot flashes and night sweats. Some hot flashes are easily tolerated, while others range from embarrassing to debilitating. Hot flashes and night sweats are most severe for the first 1 to 2 years after your last period.
Vaginal dryness and pain during sex—symptoms of vaginal atrophy associated with menopause—are also very common.
ENJUVIA® is a medicine that contains a mixture of estrogen hormones. It is prescribed after menopause to reduce moderate-to-severe hot flashes and to treat moderate-to-severe vaginal dryness and pain with sex, symptoms associated with menopause.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Important health information you should know when taking estrogens like ENJUVIA®: Estrogens increase the risk for cancer of the uterus (womb). If you experience persistent or recurring vaginal bleeding while taking estrogens let your doctor know right away, as this could be a warning sign for cancer. Your doctor should check for the cause of any unusual vaginal bleeding after menopause.
Estrogens (alone or in combination with progestins) should not be used to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, or dementia.
Estrogens (alone or in combination with progestins) may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots, and breast cancer. Estrogens (alone or in combination with progestins) may increase your risk of dementia, based on a study of women age 65 or older. Because of these risks, estrogens should be used at the lowest dose for the shortest period of time. You and your doctor should talk regularly to determine whether you still need treatment with ENJUVIA®.
Who should not use ENJUVIA®?
Do not use ENJUVIA® if you:
- May be pregnant
- Have had a stroke or heart attack in the past year
- Have unusual vaginal bleeding
- Are allergic to ENJUVIA® or any of its components
- Have a history of certain cancers, blood clots, or liver problems
What are the common side effects with ENJUVIA®?
You may experience headache, breast pain, irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting, stomach/abdominal cramps and bloating, nausea and vomiting, or hair loss.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch,
or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see the Patient Information section of the full prescribing information, including Boxed Warning.