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.
The role of local vaginal estrogen treatment in urogenital atrophyExpert Rev. Obstet. Gynecol. 7(6), 545-556 (2012)