Estriol pessaries in treatment of urogenital atrophy and atrophic vaginitis in postmenopausal women

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of estriol vaginal pessaries on urogenital atrophy and atrophic vaginitis. Method: Two month therapy were used in 110 patients with 2 mg estriol pessary daily during the first week and thereafter weekly for seven weeks. Local symptoms and signs,maturation index(MI) and karyopyknotic index (KI) were determined before and after treatment at 7,28 and 56 days. Serum concentration of E 2, FSH, LH, and various safety indexes such as Kupperman score, endometrial thickness were assessed before and after treatment. Results: Symptoms due to estrogen dificiency desappeared during the first week of treatment. Vagina showed mild estrogenic effect wnich was maintained throughout the treatment. Climacteric symptoms such as hot flushes and insomnia were effectively relieved. Serum FSH and LH decreased significantly while E 2 showed mild increase. Variable safety indexes including serum lipids were within normal range. No significant increase in endometrial thickness were observed and no obvious side effects occurred. Conclusion: Estriol pessary is effective and safe for urogenital disorders following estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women.