“Modified Schirmer Test” as an Objective Measurement for Vaginal Dryness: A Prospective Cohort Study

Diagnostics

Sireen Jaber¹  Yael Suissa-Cohen¹  Dana Gabrieli²  Ahinoam Lev-Sagie² 

[1] Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem 9765422, Israel;Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9780214, Israel;

关键词: genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM);    vaginal dryness;    vaginal atrophy;    vaginal health index (VHI);    estrogen;    vaginal maturation index (VMI);   

DOI  :  10.3390/diagnostics12030574

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

None of the currently available parameters allow for a direct and objective measurement of vaginal moisture. We used a calibrated filter paper strip as a measurement tool for the quantification of vaginal fluid, in a similar manner as the ophthalmic “Schirmer test” (used for eye moisture measurement). The study aimed to evaluate the validity of this new, objective tool, to measure vaginal moisture. We compared vaginal moisture measurements using the “modified Schirmer test” in symptomatic women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause to those of women without vaginal dryness. The mean “modified Schirmer test” measurement in the control group was 21.7 mm compared to 3.3 mm in the study group, yielding a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Strong correlations were found between “modified Schirmer test” measurements and pH (correlation coefficient −0.714), Vaginal Health Index [VHI (0.775)], and Visual Analogue Score (VAS) of dryness during intercourse (−0.821). Our findings suggest that the “modified Schirmer test” can be used as an objective measurement for the assessment of vaginal fluid level. This test may also prove useful for evaluation of non-hormonal treatments aimed to treat vaginal dryness.

【 授权许可】

Unknown