Comparison of usefulness of estradiol vaginal tablets and estriol vagitories for treatment of vaginal atrophy.
BACKGROUND
Atrophic vaginitis is a common condition. This study compared the usefulness of estradiol vaginal tablets (EVT) and estriol vagitories (EV) in treatment of atrophic vaginitis.


METHODS
Ninety-six postmenopausal women with symptoms of atrophic vaginitis were treated for 24 weeks with either EVT or with EV. Patients used the medication daily for the first 2 weeks of the study, and twice-weekly thereafter.


RESULTS
Both EVT and EV were effective in treating vaginal atrophy and patients in both treatment groups experienced a significant improvement in vaginal symptoms such as itching, irritation, dryness, and dyspareunia. At the end of the study three (6%) EVT treated women reported leakage and none needed to use sanitary towels. Among the EV treated women 31 (65%) reported leakage and 14 (29%) required sanitary protection. Furthermore, 90% in the EVT group perceived the medication as hygienic compared to 79% in the EV group, and 49% in the EVT group indicated that the product was easy to use compared to 28% in the EV group. Endometrial thickness was increased (1.1 mm with EVT and 0.5 mm on EV) in both treatment groups during the first 2 weeks of the study, but returned to baseline levels when the frequency of drug application was reduced to twice-weekly.


CONCLUSIONS
Estradiol vaginal tablets provides an effective alternative to traditional forms of local estrogen therapy.
Dugal
R
R
Søebergtorget Legesenter, Sandefjord, Norway.
Hesla
K
K
Sørdal
T
T
Aase
K H
KH
Lilleeidet
O
O
Wickstrøm
E
E
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000368:Aged; D001284:Atrophy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004964:Estriol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014621:Vagina / Q000473:pathology*; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D004958:Estradiol; D004964:Estriol