FDA approves drug for pain during sex due to menopause

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for postmenopausal women who experience pain during sex.

The agency announced the approval of Shionogi's Osphena (ospemifene) for women with moderate to severe dyspareunia, a symptom of vulvar and vaginal atrophy due to menopause associated with declining levels of estrogen hormones.

"Dyspareunia is among the problems most frequently reported by postmenopausal women," FDA Office of Drug Evaluation III deputy director Victoria Kusiak said. "Osphena provides an additional treatment option for women seeking relief."