Vaginal Estradiol Tablets Effective in Atrophic Vaginitis

Treatments reduced dryness, soreness, irritation; improved multiple vaginal-health measures

MONDAY, Jan. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Vaginal estradiol tablets are effective in treating atrophic vaginitis, improving symptoms such as dryness and soreness, and reversing urogenital atrophy, according to research published in the January issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Gloria Bachmann, M.D., of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in New Brunswick, and colleagues analyzed data from 230 postmenopausal women who received 12 weeks of treatment with either 25 or 10 micrograms of estradiol, or placebo. Afterward, patients switched to open-label treatment of the 25-microgram dose up to week 52. The primary endpoint was change in a composite score of self-assessed dryness, soreness and irritation, and researchers also assessed measurements of vaginal health such as pH and epithelial thickness and integrity.

Both treatment dosages resulted in significant composite vaginal health scores, however, improvements in urogenital atrophy, decreased vaginal pH, increased maturation of epithelium, and relief of vaginal symptoms were greater with the higher dosage.

"Although postmenopausal atrophic vaginitis is a common condition in elderly women, only a small percentage of those affected receive treatment with estrogens. In symptomatic women who have no other indications for systemic hormone replacement or prefer not to use systemic therapy, local vaginal treatment with estrogen is effective in reversing atrophic vaginal changes and relieving symptoms," the authors write.

The study was supported by Novo Nordisk A/S in Denmark. One co-author is an employee of Novo Nordisk, and the rest received fees from the company for their role as trial investigators.

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