New Shionogi Inc. Advertising Campaign Features A Personal Story About Painful Sex After Menopause

FLORHAM PARK, N.J., Sept. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- There are many women in the U.S. who experience moderate to severe painful sex due to menopause, and very few are discussing it with their healthcare provider. Now, Patti G. is breaking the silence to tell her personal story and talk about her experience with painful sex due to menopause in a new television ad. Patti is a paid spokesperson for Shionogi Inc. and is supporting Osphena^® (ospemifene), the only oral, non-estrogen pill that treats moderate to severe painful sex due to menopause.

"I suffered silently with this condition for years and it got to the point where sex was very painful," said Patti. "I leapt at the chance to talk about my problem publicly because so many women are uncomfortable speaking about it. It's important for women to know they're not alone and they should talk to their doctor, because help is available." 

Osphena is not for everyone. Osphena should not be used in women who have unusual vaginal bleeding, have or have had breast or uterine cancer, blood clots, had a stroke or heart attack, have liver problems, are allergic to Osphena or its ingredients, or are pregnant. Osphena may increase risk for uterine cancer, strokes, or blood clots. So women should talk to their doctor regularly about continuous use of Osphena. They should also call their doctor right away if they experience unusual vaginal bleeding, changes in vision or speech, sudden severe headache, leg or chest pain, or shortness of breath while taking Osphena. Side effects may include hot flashes, increased sweating, muscle spasms and vaginal discharge.

Painful sex due to menopause is a common medical condition known as dyspareunia. It is caused by changes in the vaginal wall that occur when estrogen levels drop during menopause. Osphena can actually help improve specific vaginal tissues and provide relief within twelve weeks after starting treatment.  

"Dyspareunia is one of those very personal medical conditions that many women and even some clinicians have a difficult time discussing, which can result in women not being treated," said Dr. Andrea Price, who appears in the advertisement and is also Patti's real-life doctor. "Women need to be empowered to talk with their healthcare provider."

The advertisement will air on national television, as well as a variety of online outlets.

For more information and to download a discussion guide, go to www.osphena.com.

What is Osphena^® (ospemifene) tablets?
Osphena is a prescription oral pill that treats moderate to severe painful intercourse, a symptom of changes in and around your vagina, due to menopause.

Important Safety Information for Osphena

Most Important Information you should know about Osphena

Osphena works like estrogen in the lining of the uterus, but can work differently in other parts of the body. Taking estrogen alone or Osphena may increase your chance for getting cancer of the lining of the uterus. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the lining of the uterus. Your healthcare provider should check any unusual vaginal bleeding to find out the cause; so tell them right away if this happens while you are using Osphena. 

Osphena may increase your chance of getting strokes and blood clots.

You and your healthcare provider should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Osphena.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you get changes in vision or speech, sudden new severe headaches, and severe pains in your chest or legs with or without shortness of breath, weakness and fatigue. Osphena should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; have or have had certain types of cancers (including cancer of the breast or uterus); have or had blood clots; had a stroke or heart attack; have severe liver problems; are allergic to Osphena or any of its ingredients; or think you may be pregnant. Tell your healthcare provider if you are going to have surgery or will be on bed rest.  

Possible side effects of Osphena 

Serious but less common side effects can include stroke, blood clots, and cancer of the lining of the uterus.

Common side effects can include hot flashes, vaginal discharge, muscle spasms and increased sweating.

Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines and supplements you take as some medicines may affect how Osphena works. Osphena may also affect how other medicines work.  

Please click here for Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING.

About Shionogi Inc. Shionogi Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Shionogi & Co., Ltd., a Japanese pharmaceutical company with a 137-year history discovering and developing innovative therapies. Shionogi Inc. continues this focus on the development and commercialization of high quality medicines that protect the health and well-being of the patients we serve. The company currently markets products in several therapeutic areas including women's health, anti-infectives, pain, and cardiovascular diseases. Our pipeline is focused on infectious disease, pain, CNS, and oncology. For more details, visit www.shionogi.com. For more information on Shionogi & Co., Ltd., visit www.shionogi.co.jp.

Forward Looking Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on expectations in light of the information currently available, assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. Risks and uncertainties include general domestic and international economic conditions such as general industry and market conditions, and changes of interest rate and currency exchange rate. These risks and uncertainties particularly apply with respect to product-related forward-looking statements. Product risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, completion and discontinuation of clinical trials; obtaining regulatory approvals; claims and concerns about product safety and efficacy; technological advances; adverse outcome of important litigation; domestic and foreign healthcare reforms and changes of laws and regulations. Also for existing products, there are manufacturing and marketing risks, which include, but are not limited to, inability to build production capacity to meet demand, unavailability of raw materials and entry of competitive products. The company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 

© 2015 Shionogi Inc. Florham Park, NJ 07932. All Rights Reserved.
Osphena is a registered trademark of Shionogi and Co., Ltd. Osaka, Japan.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140903/142790

SOURCE Shionogi Inc.

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