If a patient complains of dyspareunia, and clinical examination is consistent with postmenopausal vaginal atrophy / atrophic vaginitis, local estrogen is the first line of treatment, but there are alternatives that can be considered if the following two criteria are met:
Some postmenopausal patients will not or cannot use local estrogen replacement therapy to treat vaginal atrophy/atrophic vaginitis. Common situations in which this is the case may include personal history of estrogen-sensitive breast cancer or endometrial cancer, although NAMS guidelines do recommend that low-dose local HT may be an option, in consultation with a patient’s oncologist in certain situations. Fortunately, a number of effective options are available for these women.
When a clinician cannot prescribe local estrogen, alternatives for postmenopausal vaginal atrophy include
NAMS recommends that healthcare providers discuss the benefits and risks of all available treatment options for vaginal symptoms, including over-the-counter lubricants, vaginal moisturizers, and FDA-approved vaginal therapies such as vaginal estrogen and
intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone and oral therapies such as hormone therapy and ospemifene to determine the best treatment for women with GSM. When discussing vaginal energy-based therapies, informed discussion should include that these are FDA-approved devices for gynecology but have not received FDA approval for vaginal rejuvenation or procedures for GSM, sexual function, incontinence, or pelvic laxity and that even though short-term data are promising, more robust, sham-controlled, and longer-term data are needed.
Effect of Ospemifene on Moderate or Severe Symptoms of Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophy
NAMS Response: FDA Mandating Vaginal Laser Manufacturers Present Valid Data Before Marketing
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