THE EFFECTS OF LOCAL ESTROGEN WITH OR WITHOUT LOCAL TESTOSTERONE ON VULVOVAGINAL AND SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN: A COMPARATIVE STUDY
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Keywords
Local Estrogen Sexual Dysfunction, Postmenopausal, Urogenital atrophy
Abstract
Background: The purpose/ aim of this research was to examine the effects of topical estrogen alone or in combination with topical testosterone on urogenital and sexual health in postmenopausal women who are suffering distressing symptoms due to urogenital atrophy caused by decreasing levels of estrogen.
Methodology: this study was conducted in Hayatabad Medical Complex, for a 12-week trial, 81 postmenopausal women with urogenital atrophy and sexual dysfunction were randomly assigned to one of three groups. One group received local estrogen cream, another received a mixture of local estrogen and testosterone cream, while a control group was given nonhormonal lubricant.
The study focused on examining changes in “urogenital and sexuality scores”, as well as health of vaginal h indicators such as the vaginal health index and vaginal maturation index (VMI), both at the commencement of therapy and after week 12. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of various treatments in relieving symptoms and improving overall vaginal health in postmenopausal women.
Results: In all four research measures, following 12 weeks of treatment, significant improvements were found, which were strongly connected to reductions in urogenital atrophy and sexual dysfunction complaints in both study groups when compared to the control group. The group two receiving combination estrogen and testosterone therapy exhibited the greatest improvement in sexuality scores. Importantly, no side effects were there.
Conclusion: In conclusion, usage of topical Estrogen, whether used alone or in combination with androgens, proves highly effective in alleviating symptoms of urogenital atrophy and enhancing sexual function in symptomatic postmenopausal women.
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Dr Ali Sebtain
Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar Pakistan
Dr Chaman Ara
Assistant Professor Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Women Medical College, Abbottabad Pakistan
Dr Ulfat Sultana
Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Muhammad College of Medicine, Peshawar Pakistan
Dr Wagma Sirshar
Demonstrator, Department of Community Medicine, Northwest School of Medicine, Peshawar Pakistan
Dr Tahira Jehangir
Chairperson and Assistant Professor Department of Pharmacology, Nowshera Medical College, Nowshera Pakistan
Dr Danyal Khattak
Demonstrator, Department of Physiology, KMU Institute of Dental Sciences, Kohat Pakistan