Hormonal Approach for Postmenopausal Vulvovaginal Atrophy

Frontiers in Reproductive Health

Ana Katherine Gonçalves¹  José Eleutério²  Ricardo Ney Cobucci³  Ayane Cristine Alves Sarmento⁴  Ana Paula Ferreira Costa⁴  Pedro Vieira-Baptista⁵ 

[1] Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil;Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil;Graduate Program of Biotechnology, Potiguar University (UnP), Natal, Brazil;Health Sciences Postgraduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil;Hospital Lusíadas Porto, Porto, Portugal;Lower Genital Tract Unit, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto, Portugal;

关键词: menopause;    vulvovaginal atrophy;    hormone therapy;    estrogen;    DHEA;    testosterone;   

DOI  :  10.3389/frph.2021.783247

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Menopause is a physiological and progressive phenomenon secondary to decreased ovarian follicular reserve that significantly affects the genital tract. Although postmenopausal vulvovaginal atrophy primarily affects postmenopausal women, it is also seen in premenopausal women. The hypoestrogenic condition results in hormonal and anatomical changes, with the main symptoms, are dryness, burning and genital irritation, decreased lubrication, urinary urgency, dysuria, and recurrent urinary tract infections. This review aims to update hormone therapy for urogenital atrophy, both local and systemic, and discusses the importance of understanding and the need for active treatment of this condition. The main therapeutic objective is the relief of symptoms, and hormonal therapy (HT) is still the most effective choice for treating clinical manifestations, despite the side effects of its use. HT should be used in an individualized way to the needs of the women and appropriate to the stage in which she is menopausal, perimenopausal, or after menopause.

【 授权许可】

Unknown