Personalized Options for Women’s Health

Hormonal and Non-hormonal Options for Menopausal Atrophy

Many women experience vaginal health issues that can be uncomfortable or difficult to manage with traditional medications. Conditions such as vaginal atrophy (thinning and dryness often related to menopause), lichen sclerosus (a skin condition that may cause itching or irritation), and recurrent bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections are more common than many people realize. Other concerns, including vaginal dryness, vulvodynia (vulvar pain), and hormonal-related irritation can also be challenging to address with medications available through standard retail pharmacies.

Because traditional medications can be limited in dosage forms or only contain one active ingredient, some women and their healthcare providers turn to compounded therapies for more personalized treatment options. Compounding allows pharmacists to make customized prescriptions designed specifically for an individual patient. Medications can be prepared as creams, suppositories, vaginal capsules, foams, or solutions, depending on what is most comfortable and convenient. When needed, the compounded preparation can include more than one active ingredient and is made with pH-balanced bases that are gentle and designed for vaginal tissue.

Compounding pharmacists work closely with healthcare providers to select the right combination of active ingredient and dosage form for each patient. Patients can also share what works best for them. For instance, if a cream feels messy or inconvenient, a mini vaginal suppository may be a better fit. Having these choices can make it easier for patients to stay consistent with their treatment plan. 

Compounded medications offer options that give women and their healthcare providers the flexibility to tailor care to individual needs, preferences, and comfort. This personalized approach helps ensure that treatment decisions are as unique as the patients themselves. 

Resources for Patients

• Vulval Pain Treatments: Vulvodynia Treatments - The National Vulvodynia Association
• Compounding for Vaginal Conditions: Compounding for Vaginal Conditions | Pharmacy Times

By Emily Durham, MS, CPhT