Effect of Intravaginal Dehydroepiandrosterone on Vagina and Endometrium in Postmenopausal Womens

Abstract

Objective:-To examine the effect of intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone on vagina and endometrium specially on symptoms and signs of vaginal atrophy and sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women.Material and Method:-Study was conducted on 128 postmenopausal women between 40-75 year of age, presented with symptoms of vaginal atrophy and sexual dysfunction. Vaginal pH was determined, vaginal smear was examined for maturation index and maturation value, and endometrial biopsy was taken before and after intravaginal application of 0.5%DHEA ovules daily for 12 weeks.Results:-With DHEA, symptoms of sexual dysfunctions decreased significantly in 67% women (p<0.05), vaginal symptoms improved in 60% women (p<0.05).Vaginal pH was decreased by 1.1±0.06 unit (p<0.0001). Percentage of case with pH≤5 was increased to 79% from 34%, of parabasal cells decreased from 59.84±2.0 to 30.59±0.98 (p<0.0001) and of superficial cells increased by 8.66±0.18 (p<0.0001), maturation value increased by 20±0.63 (p<0.0001). Endometrial biopsy seen at the start of treatment remained unaffected by DHEA.Conclusion:-DHEA has many benefits of estrogen, with no side effects, and helps women with vaginal atrophy to stimulate the cellular growth of the vaginal wall and increase vaginal secretion, thus restoring the vagina to its youthful condition.Copy Right, IJAR, 2016,. All rights reserved.