Solution for the Unmentioned Menopause Symptom
In a recent study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles, and supported by findings from the Northwestern University Women's Health Research Institute, it has been established that low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy is a safe and well-tolerated treatment for genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).
The study, which was part of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Observational Study, included over 45,000 participants. It found that women who used vaginal estrogen did not have an increased risk of heart disease, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, stroke, pulmonary embolism, hip fracture, or death.
These findings contradict initial concerns about the connection between vaginal estrogen and serious health issues such as breast cancer, stroke, and endometrial cancer. The key reason behind this is that local vaginal estrogen differs from systemic hormone therapy, mainly affecting vaginal tissues without systemic hormone levels significantly rising. This distinction is crucial because initial concerns and black box warnings stemmed largely from systemic hormone therapy data from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), which are not applicable to vaginal estrogen.
Recent observational research, including WHI follow-up data and large database studies, found no increased risk of breast cancer or other serious adverse events with vaginal estrogen use—even for durations up to nine years. Experts and FDA advisory panels have called for the removal or revision of the FDA black box warning on vaginal estrogen to reflect current evidence, since the existing warning contributes to patient fear and underuse of an effective treatment.
Beyond safety, experts stress the significant quality-of-life benefits from vaginal estrogen in alleviating GSM symptoms such as vaginal dryness, dyspareunia (painful intercourse), urinary urgency, frequency, and recurrent urinary tract infections.
For women who prefer more natural alternatives, bioidentical estrogen creams, often made from plant estrogens extracted from wild yams, can be used as a non-prescription option. These creams have been reported to provide relief from genitourinary symptoms like dryness, discomfort, and UTIs, as well as alleviation of hot flashes, improved skin elasticity, diminished wrinkles, improved mood, and reduced menopause-related weight gain.
In summary, the consensus among recent clinical evidence and expert opinion is that low-dose vaginal estrogen for GSM is safe and well tolerated, with calls to update labeling to reduce unwarranted fears and improve patient access. This treatment offers a potential solution for women dealing with vaginal discomfort and urinary issues during menopause.
The study, supported by the Northwestern University Women's Health Research Institute, establishes that low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy is beneficial for women's health-and-wellness, particularly in managing symptoms associated with menopause and genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Moreover, recent research indicates that the use of vaginal estrogen does not increase the risk of breast cancer or other serious health conditions.
