title: Vaginal oestrogen for overactive bladder in post-menopausal women.
abstract: This article asks the question 'Should nurses recommend vaginal oestrogen for overactive bladder in post-menopausal women?' The article will review the evidence for use of vaginal oestrogen and consider the potential side-effects and risks. The main finding is that vaginal oestrogen is effective for treatment of overactive bladder in post-menopausal women with vaginal atrophy. However, vaginal atrophy is undertreated. This article identifies some of the barriers that may prevent diagnosis and treatment, and suggests changes in practice. Nurses should take the initiative and ask post-menopausal women about symptoms. Nurses should be trained to examine women, diagnose vaginal atrophy and discuss treatment.
authors.affiliation: Continence Specialist Nurse, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Continence Service.
authors.forename: Zoe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ostle
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000368:Aged; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D017698:Postmenopause; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens
keywords: Continence; Overactive urinary bladder; Postmenopause; Urge urinary incontinence; Vagina