Changes in Atrophic Symptoms, the Vaginal Maturation Index, and Vaginal pH in Postmenopausal Women Treated with Vaginal Estrogen Tablets

Kim, Myounghwan; Choi, Hoon

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to assess atrophic symptoms, the vaginal maturation index (VMI), and vaginal pH in postmenopausal women after use of estriol vaginal tablets for the treatment of vaginal atrophy.
METHODS
In a randomized prospective study, 67 postmenopausal women were treated with 500microg estriol tablets 3 times a week for 1 week in the 1-week treatment group (n = 40) and for 2 weeks in the 2-week treatment group (n = 27). The primary endpoints were changes in the VMI, vaginal pH, and improvement in participant-reported most bothersome symptom (MBS; vaginal dryness, irritation/itching, or dyspareunia). We compared three endpoints before and after treatment in each group and between the two treatment groups. The correlation between the vaginal pH and maturation value (MV) was assessed.
RESULTS
A statistically significant increase in the MV, decrease in pH, and improvement in the MBS occurred for women treated with estriol vaginal tablets in the 1- (P = 0.000, P = 0.002, and P = 0.000, respectively) and 2-week treatment groups (P = 0.000, P = 0.000, and P = 0.000, respectively). There were no significant differences between the 1- and 2-week treatment groups with respect to improvement in the VMI, vaginal pH, or MBS. The correlation between the vaginal pH and MV showed a negative linear correlation at 0, 1, and 2 weeks (P = 0.000, P = 0.000, and P = 0.011, respectively).
CONCLUSION
Treatment with 500microg estriol vaginal tablets thrice-weekly for 1 week was effective in improving. It is thought that the three primary endpoints (VMI, vaginal pH, and MBS) improved at the same time during treatment.