[Urogenital complaints: value of systemic estrogen therapy]

Local and systemic therapies with estrogens lead to a fast alleviation of urogenital symptoms, which occur frequently in the postmenopausal women. Especially atrophical changes in vulva and vagina, but also complaints about incontinence are improved by estrogen therapy. Even though there is no objective evidence of an improvement of stress incontinence, there are less infections of the lower urinary tract as well as a diminution of urge incontinence. Moreover, systemic estrogen therapy helps to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases. Urogenital complaints may motivate patients easily for a long lasting systemic estrogen therapy, because symptoms are bothering and annoying.