Efficacy of Intravaginal Estrogen (Estriol) in Medical Management of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause in an Indian Asian Female
Author(s): Tanudeep Kaur, Kumari Anukriti, Jai Bhagwan Sharma, Kavita Pandey, Rajesh Kumari
Background: As high as 60% of postmenopausal women suffer from atrophic urogenital symptoms called as Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), due to declining ovarian function. It causes moderate to severe bothersomeness. Effectiveness of locally applied estrogen over 12 weeks improves their general and sexual quality of life (QOL).
Aims: We aimed to measure the most bothersome of the various symptoms (MBS), and Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) on a validated Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scale and their self reported severity improvement over 12 weeks.
Material and methods: A prospective cohort study of 100 menopausal women with at least one of the various GSM symptoms to assess for the MBS, severity of various GSM symptoms and FSFI scoring; as well as to assess their improvement after 12 weeks of local vaginal estriol application.
Statistical analysis: SPSS version 19.0.
Results: Most cases were ?=60 years, with vaginal symptoms being the most bothersome. Highly significant improvements were seen in all GSM symptoms post treatment including vaginal symptoms, dyspareunia, urgency, frequency, nocturia and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Also, the improvement in FSFI scoring post treatment was highly significant.
Conclusion: Vaginal symptoms are the most bothersome part of GSM. Local estrogen therapy has a highly significant role in improving all GSM symptoms as well as FSFI scoring leading to a better QOL and sexual health.