Further Reassurance That Vaginal Estrogen Use Is Safe

Nurses' Health Study provides evidence that VE therapy for genitourinary syndrome of menopause is not associated with excess risk for cardiovascular outcomes or cancer.

Unlike vasomotor symptoms, genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) tends to progress if not treated. Although vaginal estrogen (VE) is effective for GSM, prevalence of its use is low, reflecting — among other issues — safety concerns. Investigators analyzed 18 years of prospective observational Nurses' Health Study data from participants (mean age at entry, 54) who were not current users of systemic hormone therapy to evaluate long-term health outcomes among some 900 VE users versus 52,900 nonusers.

Compared with nonusers, VE users (mean duration of use, 36 months) were more likely to be never-smokers, to have lower body-mass index and prevalence of hypertension, and to have personal histories of benign breast disease and family histories …

Reviewing Author

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Further Reassurance That Vaginal Estrogen Use Is Safe

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Reviewing Author