DHEA Vaginal Ovules: High Acceptance for Menopause Pain Relief

observational-study PMID: 26634942

DHEA Vaginal Ovules: High Acceptance for Menopause Pain Relief

Quick Summary: This study looked at how well women liked using a special applicator to insert DHEA (prasterone) ovules vaginally for treating painful sex during menopause. Women found it very easy and comfortable, with nearly all rating it highly after 12 weeks of daily use. Over 90% felt confident using it on their own in the future, making it a user-friendly option for symptom relief.

What the Research Found

Researchers tested how acceptable it was for postmenopausal women to use an applicator for inserting DHEA ovules into the vagina. DHEA is a hormone that helps with vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA), a common menopause issue causing dryness and pain during sex (dyspareunia).

Almost all women—99% in the placebo group and 100% in the DHEA group—gave top scores for ease, comfort, and overall satisfaction (on a 0-4 scale, where lower is better).
Out of 373 women who shared feedback, 284 gave positive comments like "simple" or "no mess," while 114 didn't comment.
92-94% said they felt very confident using the applicator successfully on their own moving forward.
The method beat the study's goal of 80% approval, showing it's a hit for daily use.

These results highlight that the applicator makes treatment straightforward, which could help women stick with it longer.

Study Details

Who was studied: 373 postmenopausal women with moderate to severe painful sex due to VVA. They were part of a larger clinical trial and answered questionnaires about their experience.
How long: 12 weeks of daily use, with feedback collected at the end.
What they took: Women inserted one ovule (a small, egg-shaped suppository) daily using a single-use applicator. The DHEA group got 6.5 mg of DHEA (0.50% strength); the placebo group got identical ovules without DHEA.

The study was a sub-analysis of a bigger randomized, double-blind trial, meaning neither women nor researchers knew who got the real treatment until the end.

What This Means For You

If you're a menopausal woman dealing with vaginal dryness or painful intercourse, this DHEA applicator could be an easy, at-home option. It's not a pill—you insert it vaginally once a day, and the high satisfaction rates suggest it won't feel awkward or hard to use. This might make treating VVA simpler, helping you feel more comfortable during intimacy without relying on messy creams or systemic hormones. Talk to your doctor to see if prasterone (DHEA) fits your needs, especially if you've tried other remedies and want something discreet.

Study Limitations

This research focused only on how women liked the applicator, not on whether DHEA actually relieved symptoms like pain or dryness—those results come from the main trial. Feedback came from self-reported surveys, so personal biases might play a role, and about 30% of women didn't share comments. It didn't check long-term use beyond 12 weeks or include details like age or ethnic backgrounds. Always consider your health history before starting any treatment.

Key Findings

The study found that intravaginal DHEA (prasterone) ovules administered via an applicator were highly acceptable to postmenopausal women with moderate to severe dyspareunia. Over 99% (placebo) and 100% (DHEA) of participants rated the global acceptability score ≤2 (scale: 0–4), exceeding the predefined threshold of 80% for suitability. Additionally, 92–94% of women expressed confidence in using the applicator successfully in the future, and 284/373 participants provided positive feedback on the administration method.

Study Design

This was an observational sub-study conducted within a larger phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The analysis included 373 postmenopausal women with vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) who completed a 12-week intervention. Participants were part of a per-protocol population and responded to questionnaires assessing the applicator’s acceptability.

Dosage & Administration

The treatment group received 0.50% DHEA ovules (6.5 mg) administered intravaginally daily using a single-use applicator. The placebo group used identical ovules without DHEA. The primary endpoint was the global acceptability score (mean of five questions on ease of use, comfort, etc.), with ≤2 units indicating suitability.

Results & Efficacy

The applicator met its primary endpoint: 99% (placebo) and 100% (DHEA) reported global scores ≤2, demonstrating high acceptability. Among 373 participants, 284 provided qualitative feedback, with 92–94% indicating confidence in future use. No significant differences were observed between groups, though the study was not powered to detect efficacy in symptom relief (VVA/dyspareunia outcomes were not reported here).

Limitations

The observational design limited causal inferences about the applicator’s performance. Results were based on self-reported questionnaires, introducing potential bias. The analysis excluded non-responders (114/373 provided no feedback), and long-term adherence beyond 12 weeks was not assessed. Demographics (e.g., age, race) were not detailed, and the study focused solely on administration acceptability, not clinical efficacy of DHEA.

Clinical Relevance

The findings suggest that the intravaginal DHEA ovule applicator is user-friendly and well-accepted by postmenopausal women, which may improve adherence to treatment for VVA-related dyspareunia. High confidence in future use (92–94%) supports its practical utility in real-world settings. However, further research is needed to evaluate long-term compliance and correlate administration ease with clinical outcomes like symptom reduction. This method offers a discreet, non-oral alternative