Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2026
12:10
Retzius-Sparing Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
Published on: May 19, 2022
Raloxifene effect on frequency of surgery for pelvic floor relaxation
S R Goldstein1, P Neven, L Zhou
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA. steven.goldstein@med.nyu.edu
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|June 30, 2001
Summary
Raloxifene therapy, used for menopausal symptoms, significantly reduced the need for pelvic floor surgery in postmenopausal women. This suggests a potential protective effect on pelvic floor function, warranting further study.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Pelvic floor relaxation, including pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence, affects many postmenopausal women.
- Current treatments often involve surgery, which carries risks and recovery burdens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of raloxifene therapy on the incidence of surgeries for pelvic floor relaxation in postmenopausal women.
- To determine if raloxifene influences the risk of procedures for pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of safety data from three randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trials involving 6926 postmenopausal women.
- Women received varying doses of raloxifene or placebo over three years.
- Surgical procedures for pelvic floor relaxation were identified and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Fewer women in the raloxifene group (0.75%) underwent pelvic floor surgery compared to the placebo group (1.51%).
- Raloxifene therapy was associated with a 50% reduction in the odds of requiring pelvic floor repair (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.31-0.81).
- This reduction in surgical procedures was statistically significant (P <.005).
Conclusions:
- Raloxifene therapy does not appear to increase the risk of pelvic floor relaxation.
- The study observed a potential protective effect of raloxifene on pelvic floor function.
- Further research is recommended to confirm and understand this apparent protective effect.
