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Vitamin E as alternative local treatment in genitourinary syndrome of menopause: a randomized controlled trial

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause is a major health concern in postmenopausal women. This study was aimed at comparing the effect of a vitamin E vaginal suppository with that of conjugated estrogen vaginal cream on sexual function in postmenopausal women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause.

Methods

This survey was carried out on 52 postmenopausal women aged 40–65 years who had been referred to gynecology clinics in Mashhad city, during 2013–2014. Keeping β = 0.1, the power was calculated to be 90%. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: vitamin E vaginal suppository and conjugated estrogen vaginal cream. Participants used the medications for 12 weeks. They were visited at the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks. Validated Abbreviated Sexual Function Questionnaire (ASFQ), as the primary outcome measure, and a demographic information questionnaire, were used to collect data at each visit. Data were analyzed using SPSS and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Mean overall scores of the ASFQ were increased significantly in both groups during the course of the study, compared with baseline (p < 0.001). However, the mean ASFQ scores of the two treatments did not differ significantly.

Conclusion

Improved scores of ASFQ after the 12th week showed that the treatment was successful in both groups. Therefore, a vitamin E vaginal suppository may be an alternative to vaginal estrogen in relieving the symptoms of vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women, especially those not able to use hormone therapy or have low compliance.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the vice chancellor for research and technology of the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences for his financial support of the study, Dr Majid Khadem-Rezaiyan for help in statistical analysis, and Mr Mohammad Alizadeh Noughani for providing language help.

Funding

This study is based on a project that was funded by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (grant number 911186).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Nahid Golmakani & Aazam Parnan Emamverdikhan

  2. Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Ahmadreza Zarifian

  3. Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Sayyed Abolghasem Sajadi Tabassi

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Malihe Hassanzadeh

  5. Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Women Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Malihe Hassanzadeh

Authors
  1. Nahid Golmakani
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  2. Aazam Parnan Emamverdikhan
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  3. Ahmadreza Zarifian
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  4. Sayyed Abolghasem Sajadi Tabassi
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  5. Malihe Hassanzadeh
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Malihe Hassanzadeh.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Golmakani, N., Parnan Emamverdikhan, A., Zarifian, A. et al. Vitamin E as alternative local treatment in genitourinary syndrome of menopause: a randomized controlled trial. Int Urogynecol J 30, 831–837 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-018-3698-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-018-3698-z

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