Effect of local estrogen therapy (LET) on urinary and sexual symptoms in premenopausal women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). (3rd October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gardella, Barbara; Iacobone, Anna Daniela; Porru, Daniele; Musacchi, Valentina; Dominoni, Mattia; Tinelli, Carmine; Spinillo, Arsenio; Nappi, Rossella E.
• Is Part Of: Gynecological endocrinology. Volume 31:Number 10(2015:Oct.)
• Page Start: 828
• Page End: 832
• Publication Date: 2015-10-03
• Subjects: Estrogens -- genitourinary syndrome -- sexual function -- uro-genital system -- vagina; Endocrine gynecology -- Periodicals; Generative organs, Female -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.1
• DOI: 10.3109/09513590.2015.1063119
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0951-3590

Abstract

Abstract: The association between vulvodynia and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), a chronic, debilitating disease of unknown etiology, may involve sex hormone-dependent mechanisms regulating vulvo-vaginal health. We aimed to prospectively investigate the effects of 12 weeks of local estrogen therapy (LET) on urinary/bladder and sexual symptoms in premenopausal women with IC/BPS. Thirty-four women (mean age: 36.1 ± 8.4) diagnosed with IC/BPS were treated vulvo-vaginally three-times/week with estriol 0.5 mg cream and tested by validated questionnaires (ICSI/ICPI, pain urgency frequency [PUF], female sexual function index [FSFI]) and by cotton swab testing, vaginal health index (VHI) and maturation index (MI) before and after treatment. Vulvodynia was present in 94.1% of IC/BPS women. A significant positive effect of LET was evident on urinary and sexual function ( p < 0.001, for both) following 12 weeks, as well as an improvement of the VHI ( p < 0.001) and the MI ( p < 0.04). The results of this open study indicate that 12 weeks of local estriol cream at vaginal and vestibular level may ameliorate urinary/bladder pain symptoms, as well as may improve domains of sexual function. The association between vulvar pain and bladder pain could, therefore, be related to a vaginal environment carrying signs of hypoestrogenism, but further studies are needed to clarify this issue.