Abstract
This is a review of currently available data on local vaginal estrogen treatment with critical comments and a view on future perspectives. Vaginal atrophy affects 25–50% of postmenopausal women, and 40–45% of sexually active women suffer from dyspareunia. Treatment with all available local estrogen preparations is effective, but studies on dose–response relationship are lacking as is noncompany-sponsored comparisons between different estrogens and formulations. Local estrogen is effective in the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infection, but data on incontinence are mixed. Epidemiological data, long-term clinical safety data and data in women with a history of breast and other cancers are lacking. Safety data beyond 1 year are needed to support actual use. The use of local therapy is still likely to increase.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The author has received honoraria for speaking at national and international meetings from the following pharmaceutical companies: AstraZeneca, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi Pasteur MSD and Schering-Plough MSD. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.