Intrinsa Patch for Female Sexual Dysfunction Treatments

Intrinsa – Medication for female sexual dysfunction (FSD)

Intrinsa is female sexual dysfunction treatment manufactured by Procter and Gamble. It is meant for use only by women. Intrinsa is the first-ever prescription treatment for women who lack sexual desire and are not easily aroused sexually. With Intrinsa becoming available in the market, women do not have to suffer in silence any longer. Intrinsa patches can help women rekindle their sex life and feel sexually more responsive.

About Intrinsa

Intrinsa is a transdermal patch (applied on the skin), which constantly releases small amount of testosterone that is absorbed through abdominal skin into the bloodstream. The active ingredient in Intrinsa patch is testosterone, which is the same sex hormone that is produced naturally in men and women.

Intrinsa for FSD treatment

Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has approved Intrinsa for FSD treatment in the UK and European Union. They concluded that benefits of Intrinsa for FSD treatment far outweigh its risks and hence gave it approval for marketing. The European Commission has also granted a marketing authorization to Intrinsa throughout the European Union.

How does Intrinsa work?

After removal of the ovaries, testosterone levels drop to half in menopausal women compared to before the operation. Decrease in testosterone is associated with low sexual desire, reduced sexual thoughts, and reduced sexual arousal.

Intrinsa supplies testosterone on a constant basis to the body and reverses all the effects caused by low testosterone levels.

Who can take Intrinsa?

Women should take Intrinsa treatment only if they are, below 60 years of age; have low sexual desire which is a cause of concern or distress; have both the ovaries removed; have hysterectomy and consequently womb removed; and are receiving estrogen therapy.

Women with the following conditions should not take Intrinsa patches:

• Allergy (hypersensitive) to testosterone or any other ingredients of Intrinsa


• Breast cancer or any other cancer caused or stimulated by the female hormone estrogen, also known as ‘estrogen-dependent’ cancers


• Any other medical conditions that doctor may consider not appropriate for the use of estrogen and/or testosterone


• History of heart, liver or kidney disease


• Diabetes

Women with a history of excessive adult acne, body or facial hair, hair loss, enlargement of the clitoris, voice deepening or hoarseness, should take special care when they take Intrinsa for FSD treatment.

Intrinsa is not meant for use in men, children and adolescents.

Side effects of Intrinsa

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

• rash


• irritation


• itching


• redness

The following side effects of Intrinsa may occur but most of them are mild in nature and reversible in nature:

• 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 you experience any side effects on taking Intrinsa, seek immediate medical condition.

Intrinsa treatment may last for a year. You might experience positive effects in couple of months only. However, if you do not observe any improvement in 3-6 months your doctor may advice you to stop the treatment.

How to use Intrinsa for FSD treatment?

Intrinsa patches should be replaced two times a week i.e. if you start Intrinsa treatment on Monday, the next application should be on Thursday the same week. In any case, follow your doctor’s instructions carefully for female sexual dysfunction.