Effect of oral estriol on urogenital symptoms, vaginal cytology, and plasma hormone level in postmenopausal women

Objective : To evaluate the effects of oral estriol on urogenital symptoms, vaginal cytology, and plasma follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol level in postmenopausal women with urogenital symptoms. Method: Twenty-eight postmenopausal women with urogenital symptoms who volunteered to participate in this study received 2mg of oral estriol daily for 12 weeks. The urogenital symptoms, vaginal cytology, and plasma hormone level before and after treatment were analysed using paired t-test. Results : The genital and urological symptoms improved (P < 0.05) after treatment in all subjects: The vaginal cytology showed estrogenic effect on the karyopyknotic index and maturation value. There was a significantly (P < 0.05) higher level of plasma estradiol after 12 weeks of treatment. However, the difference of plasma FSH level before and after treatment was not statistically significant. Conclusion : The daily oral estriol had a positive effect on the urogenital symptoms and vaginal cytology. The plasma estradiol increased after 12 weeks of treatment but the plasma FSH did not change.