Vaginal Dryness

Why is oestrogen important?

The hormone oestrogen helps to keep the vagina moist, maintain thickness of the vaginal lining and keep the tissue flexible.³ It also plays a role in maintaining the natural acidity and protective Lactobacilli in the vagina to help prevent infections.² Unlike other symptoms of menopause such as hot flushes, the changes to the vagina and urinary tract are not likely to go away on their own and tend to worsen over time.² Replacing the lost oestrogen rebuilds the vaginal wall.^4,5

How can lost oestrogen be replaced?

Oestrogen can be replaced directly at the source of the problem with a vaginal tablet or a vaginal cream. Oestrogen applied as a cream to the external vulva and lower vagina or inserted with an applicator into the vagina provides sufficient oestrogen levels to relieve the bothersome vaginal symptoms, with minimal absorption into the blood stream. Oestrogen may also be administered in oral tablets or via skin patches for additional vaginal symptom relief.^1-3

How long can vaginal oestrogen be used?

International experts recommend that local vaginal oestrogen be used for as long as symptoms persist, as symptoms may come back when treatment is discontinued.² Therapy with low-dose vaginal oestrogen can be individualised to each woman and her symptoms to identify the lowest dose and frequency of use that provides the desired symptom relief.²

Vaginal oestrogen products contain estradiol, which is the same as the female oestrogen hormone found in the body.¹¹

Vaginal tablets

Delivers the correct dose in a small tablet which comes in a pre-filled applicator.¹¹
Easy to use disposable applicator.¹¹
Cleaner, minimal leakage and no need for additional sanitary pads compared to vaginal cream.^7,9

Vaginal creams

Filling the applicator with cream has raised concerns with women about using too much or too little cream.⁷
A single applicator which needs to be re-filled each time it is used, cleaned, and re-used again or disposed single use applicators.¹²
Messy with leakage; may require additional sanitary protection.^7,9

For more information about vaginal dryness and its treatment, visit our website

Medical References

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Medical References

International Menopause Society. Vaginal atrophy – a change with the menopause [online] [cited 18 August 2022]; Available from URL: https://www.imsociety.org/publication/patient-information leaflet-vaginal-atrophy-a-change-withthe-menopause/.
NAMS POSITION STATEMENT. The 2020 genitourinary syndrome of menopause position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause 2020;27(9):976 992.
Bachman G. Patient education: Vaginal dryness (Beyond the Basics) [online] April 2021 [cited 18 August 2022]; Available from URL: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/vaginal drynessbeyond-the-basics/print.
Simon J, Nachtigall L, Gut R, Lang E, Archer DF, Utian W. Effective treatment of vaginal atrophy with an ultra-low-dose estradiol vaginal tablet. Obs & Gynecol 2008;112(5):1053 1060.
Johnston SL. Urogenital Concerns. JOGC FEVRIER 2006;S33-S42.
Weissmann-Brenner A, Bayevsky T, Yoles I. Compliance to vaginal treatment – tablets versus cream: a retrospective 9 years study. Menopause 2017;24(1):73-76. DOI: 10.1097/GME.0000000000000729.
Minkin MJ, Maamari R, Reiter S. Postmenopausal vaginal atrophy: evaluation of treatment with local estrogen therapy. Int J Women’s Health 2013;6:281-288.
Mattsson LA, Ericsson A, Bøgelund M, Mamaari R. Women’s preferences toward attributes of local estrogen therapy for the treatment of vaginal atrophy. Maturitas 2013;74:259-263.
Dugal R, Hesla K, Sørdal T, Aase KH, Lilleeidet O, Wickstrøm E. Comparison of usefulness of estradiol vaginal tablets and estriol vagitories for the treatment of vaginal atrophy. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2000;79(4):293-297.
Portman D, Shulman L, Yeaw J, Zeng S, Uzoigwe C, Maamari R, et al. One-year treatment persistence with local estrogen therapy in postmenopausal women diagnosed as having vaginal atrophy. Menopause. 2015;22(11):1197-203. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000000465.
Product approved professional information.
Reference available on request.

For full prescribing information, please refer to the Professional Information approved by the medicines regulatory authority. Novo Nordisk (Pty) Ltd. Reg. No.: 1959/000833/07. Marketed by Adcock Ingram Limited. Co. Reg. No. 1949/034385/06. Private Bag X69, Bryanston, 2021, South Africa. Customer Care: 0860 ADCOCK / 232625. www.adcock.com. 2022082410223366 September 2022.

October 21, 2021 | Categories: Health Conditions A-Z, Sexual Health, Women's Health

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