Unsatisfactory colposcopy and the response to orally administered oestrogen: a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial.
Thirty-six women with dyskaryotic cervical smears and unsatisfactory colposcopy were randomly allocated to receive either 30 micrograms ethinyl oestradiol or placebo daily by mouth for 10 days. Thirty-four women were available for review (17 women in each of the two groups), full colposcopic inspection of the transformation zone was possible in a significantly greater proportion of the oestrogen treated group (70% versus 23%, P less than 0.01). As most diagnostic conizations are currently performed on the basis of unsatisfactory colposcopy, the use of oestrogen medication followed by colposcopic reassessment should permit a reduction in the number of patients subject to operation.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield.
N
N
Saunders
D
D
Anderson
L
L
Gilbert
F
F
Sharp
D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology*; D003127:Colposcopy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D014626:Vaginal Smears
D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol