title: Systemic effects of vaginally administered estrogen therapy: a review.
abstract: Hormone therapy was considered the standard of care before the publication of the Women's Health Initiative. After the study was published, the use of systemic hormone therapy dramatically decreased resulting in an increased incidence of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and dyspareunia experienced by women. Use of vaginal estrogen offers women a unique alternative for relief of these symptoms. This article reviews the systemic effects of vaginally administered estrogen. Effects on serum hormone levels, vasomotor symptoms, lipid profiles, and use in women with breast cancer are reviewed. An accompanying review (J Pelvic Med Surg. 2009;15:105-114.) examines the local effects of vaginally administered estrogen.
authors.affiliation: From the *Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS; †Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Carolina, University Greenville Campus, Greenville, SC; and ‡Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krause
authors.forename: Thomas L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Wheeler
authors.forename: Holly E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Snyder