Vaginal pH as a Diagnostic Tool for Menopause: A Preliminary Analysis

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Gynecological Diagnostics

Background:

• Menopause, characterized by the cessation of menstruation, involves decreased ovarian activity and hormonal shifts, including elevated serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
• Estrogen decline during menopause thins vaginal epithelium, reducing glycogen availability and leading to increased vaginal pH.
• Serum FSH is a standard but invasive marker for menopause diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the diagnostic sensitivity of vaginal pH versus serum FSH levels for identifying menopause.
• To evaluate vaginal pH as a potential non-invasive alternative for menopause diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 120 women with amenorrhea exceeding one year.
• Measurement of vaginal pH and serum FSH levels in all participants.
• Statistical comparison of the sensitivity of both methods using the McNemar test.

Main Results:

• Vaginal pH demonstrated a sensitivity of 90% for diagnosing menopause, excluding cases with vaginal infections.
• Serum FSH level showed a sensitivity of 85% in the same cohort.
• The findings indicate comparable diagnostic accuracy between the two markers.

Conclusions:

• Vaginal pH exhibits sensitivity comparable to serum FSH for the diagnosis of menopause.
• Vaginal pH presents a potentially accessible and non-invasive diagnostic tool for menopause.