DHEA suppositories are available in the United States through retail pharmacies, licensed compounding pharmacies, and sellers of nonprescription DHEA products. The main options are:
- A retail or online pharmacy with a prescription for Intrarosa
- A licensed compounding pharmacy with a prescription for customized DHEA suppositories
- The manufacturer or retailers selling nonprescription products such as Bezwecken DHEA Ovals
For a vaginal DHEA product with FDA-approved labeling, ask your clinician about Intrarosa, the 6.5 mg prasterone vaginal insert. If you need a different strength, base, or combination formula, a prescription compounding pharmacy may be an option.
DHEA Suppository Buying Options
| Option | Where to buy | Prescription? | Key difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intrarosa | Retail pharmacy or online pharmacy | Yes | FDA-approved 6.5 mg prasterone vaginal insert |
| Compounded DHEA suppository or ovule | Licensed compounding pharmacy | Yes | Customized strength, ingredients, and dosage form |
| Bezwecken DHEA Ovals 2x | Manufacturer and some supplement retailers | Check product and state requirements | Approximately 13 mg of DHEA per oval, according to the manufacturer |
Buy Intrarosa Through a Pharmacy
Intrarosa is the FDA-approved vaginal DHEA product available in the United States. It contains 6.5 mg of prasterone, also called DHEA, in a vaginal insert. It is indicated for moderate to severe pain during sexual intercourse caused by menopausal vulvovaginal changes.
To obtain Intrarosa:
- Ask an OB-GYN, gynecologist, menopause specialist, or primary care clinician for a prescription.
- Send the prescription to a local retail pharmacy.
- Use an online pharmacy that accepts prescriptions.
- Check the official Intrarosa website for savings and patient-support information.
Intrarosa is not an over-the-counter supplement. Its labeled dose is 6.5 mg per insert, and it should not be assumed to be interchangeable with a nonprescription DHEA oval.
Order Compounded DHEA Suppositories
A licensed compounding pharmacy can prepare DHEA as a vaginal suppository, ovule, cream, or another dosage form when a prescriber decides that a customized preparation is needed.
Examples of pharmacies advertising compounded DHEA vaginal products include:
- Elements Pharmacy, which lists DHEA vaginal suppositories in provider-selected strengths and requires a prescription.
- Bayview Pharmacy, which advertises compounded DHEA vaginal suppositories and lists delivery availability by state.
- HerMD Pharmacy, which advertises custom-compounded DHEA vaginal suppositories through its women's health service.
Before ordering, confirm that the pharmacy:
- Holds an active license in the state where it dispenses
- Requires a prescription
- States the DHEA strength per suppository
- Lists the ingredients and expiration or beyond-use date
- Explains shipping and storage requirements
- Provides access to a pharmacist
Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved. The FDA does not review each compounded product for safety, effectiveness, or quality before marketing. Poor compounding can result in contamination or incorrect amounts of active ingredient.
Buy a Nonprescription DHEA Oval
The manufacturer Bezwecken lists DHEA Ovals 2x for direct purchase. According to the manufacturer, each oval contains approximately 13 mg of DHEA.
This product differs from Intrarosa in several ways:
- Bezwecken DHEA Ovals 2x: Approximately 13 mg per oval
- Intrarosa: 6.5 mg of FDA-approved prasterone per vaginal insert
- The products may use different bases, inactive ingredients, packaging, and quality-control systems.
Do not assume that a nonprescription DHEA oval has the same evidence, labeling, dosing instructions, or regulatory review as Intrarosa. ACOG recommends FDA-approved hormone therapy over compounded hormone therapy when an approved option meets the patient's needs. Note also that a vaginal insert or oval is not the same thing as the oral DHEA capsules sold as supplements: a DHEA product available on Amazon is an oral capsule, and it is not a substitute for a vaginal product.
Which DHEA Suppository Should You Choose?
Choose Intrarosa if you want the FDA-approved vaginal DHEA product with labeled dosing.
Consider a compounded suppository only when your clinician identifies a specific need, such as a different strength, ingredient combination, or dosage form that is not commercially available.
Discuss nonprescription DHEA ovals with a clinician before using them if you have a history of hormone-sensitive cancer, unexplained vaginal bleeding, or current treatment with vaginal estrogen, testosterone, systemic hormone therapy, or another DHEA product.
Intrarosa's patient information says not to use it with unexplained vaginal bleeding. It also instructs patients to tell their clinician if they have had or may have breast cancer.
What Should You Ask Your Clinician Before Buying?
Ask:
- Do I need vaginal DHEA, vaginal estrogen, a moisturizer, or another treatment?
- Should I use the FDA-approved 6.5 mg Intrarosa insert?
- If I use a compounded product, what exact strength should it contain?
- Is the product intended for vaginal use and supplied in a suitable base?
- Could it interact with my current hormones or medications?
- What should I do if I develop bleeding, irritation, acne, unwanted hair growth, or breast symptoms?
Avoid marketplaces and websites that sell prescription products without requiring a prescription, fail to identify the dispensing pharmacy, or do not provide pharmacist contact information. The FDA advises consumers to investigate online pharmacies because unlicensed sources may supply poor-quality or improperly compounded medicines.
For a prescription vaginal DHEA product, ask your clinician about Intrarosa and fill it through a licensed pharmacy. Use a compounding pharmacy when a provider recommends a customized formula, and do not treat a nonprescription DHEA oval as a direct substitute.