Shionogi Inc. Pledges to "Take Charge" in Honor of Menopause Awareness Month

FLORHAM PARK, N.J., Sept. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- This September, Shionogi Inc. supports the Women's Health Foundation with a five dollar donation for every pledge taken on WomenTakeCharge.com. Joining the "Take Charge" movement is easy - women can take the pledge and share through social media to get others to take the pledge too.

"We encourage women to take the pledge to help raise awareness of painful sex due to menopause. It's time for women to take a stand and help each other understand that this is a common medical condition and it's important to talk to your doctor about these symptoms," said Deanne Melloy, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Shionogi Inc.

"As a pharmaceutical company dedicated to women's health, we are thrilled to be supporting the Women's Health Foundation. The funds will go toward research and health initiatives for women. Every pledge makes a difference," added Melloy.

WomenTakeCharge.com aims to empower women to start a new conversation about sex – especially with their doctor. Sex after menopause shouldn't have to hurt, and there are treatment options available. "Women spend too much of their life post menopause not to do anything about this extremely common, but treatable, condition," says OB-GYN and women's health expert Dr. Donnica Moore.

"Women in the U.S. can spend up to one third of their lives post menopause¹.  Approximately 32 million postmenopausal women experience a medical condition called vulvar and vaginal atrophy (VVA). Of these women, many of them will experience moderate to severe painful sex, a common symptom of VVA², " added Moore.

These are the same women who came of age in the Sexual Revolution, but are now hesitant to talk about painful sex after menopause, even though it is common and there are treatments available, like Osphena (ospemifene)^®.  Osphena^® is the first and only non-estrogen oral pill for the treatment of moderate to severe painful sex, a symptom of changes in and around your vagina, due to menopause. It improves certain physical changes of the vagina - superficial cells, parabasal cells, and vaginal pH - which lubricants cannot do.

Serious risks of estrogen-alone therapy or Osphena^® can include increased risk of endometrial cancer, stroke, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Osphena should be prescribed for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals for the individual woman. Women considering treatment for moderate to severe painful sex are encouraged to discuss the potential risks and benefits of Osphena with their healthcare provider.

Join Shionogi Inc. and show your support for the Women's Health Foundation this Menopause Awareness Month by visiting www.WomenTakeCharge.com and taking the pledge!

What is Osphena^® (ospemifene) tablets?

Osphena^® is a prescription oral pill that treats 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, strokes, and blood clots. 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^®.

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; 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 you take as some medicines may affect how Osphena^® works. Osphena^® may also affect how other medicines work. 

Please see accompanying or click here for Patient Information and Full Prescribing Information including Boxed WARNING

About Shionogi

Shionogi Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Shionogi & Co., Ltd., a Japanese pharmaceutical company with a distinguished 135-year history of discovery and development of innovative therapies. Shionogi Inc. continues this focus on the development and commercialization of high quality medicines to meet patient needs, while recognizing and addressing the highly personal nature of healthcare. In the U.S., Shionogi Inc. is primarily focused on two therapeutic areas, women's health and pain. Pipeline products are in the areas of allergy, oncology, anti-infectives, and endocrinology. For more details, please visit www.shionogi.com. For more information on Shionogi & Co., Ltd., please visit www.shionogi.co.jp.

About the Women's Health Foundation

Women's Health Foundation (WHF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the pelvic health and wellness of women and girls through community-based programs and services, research, and community outreach.  WHF is recognized as the nation's most visible and passionate champion of pelvic wellness issues. Learn more at www.womenshealthfoundation.org.

¹ Osphena Prescribing Information. Florham Park, NJ 07932: Shionogi Inc; 2013.
² Mac Bride MB, Rhodes DJ, Schuster LT. Vulvovaginal Atrophy. Mayo Clinic Proceedings: 2010; 85:87.
³ North American Menopause Society, Terms & Statistics. Introduction, paragraph 2, lines 9-11. Available at www.menopause.org/docs/2012/cg_a.pdf?sfvrsn=2. Accessed January 3, 2014.

^©2014 Shionogi Inc. Florham Park, NJ 07932. All Rights Reserved. Osphena is a registered trademark of Shionogi & Co., Ltd. Osaka, Japan.

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SOURCE Shionogi Inc.