Estriol vaginal gel (0.005%) therapy significantly improves the trophism of the vaginal mucosa and the sexual health and QoL of naturally postmenopausal women. These results confirm that low doses of vaginal estrogen must be considered as the first choice for the initial treatment of postmenopausal genitourinary symptoms.
Background: To evaluate the efficacy of daily vaginal gel containing hyaluronic acid (HA) and Biosaccharide Gum-1 (BG-1) on vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) and on sexual function and quality of life (QoL).
Methods: One hundred-four postmenopausal women with VVA were enrolled in the nonrandomized comparison cohort study. Of them, 50 women on HA/BG-1 participated in the study group and 54 women on lubricants/moisturizers on-demand as a control group.
The primary endpoint was the efficacy of the vaginal gel on VVA evaluated by the Vaginal Health Index (VHI) score. Secondary endpoints included sexual behavior by the self-administered female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire and quality of life (QoL) by the Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36).
Results: All symptoms of AVV improved after 12 weeks of treatment in women on HA/BG-1. The VMI, although improved at the 12-week follow-up compared to baseline, indicated a low estrogenic stimulation value. Sexual function improved significantly in women on HA/BG-1. Moreover, women reported a significant improvement in the somatic aspects of QoL. No benefits were obtained by the women in the study group.
Conclusions: Treatment with HA/BG-1 could be used in postmenopausal women who complain of vaginal dryness. The amelioration of VVA-related signs could improve sexual function and QoL.
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