[Continuous, low dosage estradiol administration with a vaginal ring: a placebo-controlled study]

Estrogen replacement therapy is used in postmenopausal women with symptoms of urogenital atrophy. The aim of this study was to detect differences in efficacy of a low-dose estradiol-releasing vaginal ring and a placebo ring in the relief of symptoms of estrogen deficiency and reduction of urogenital atrophy (pH and vaginal mucosal maturation) in postmenopausal women.

This was a multicentre double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

84 postmenopausal women, of whom 67 completed the full 24 weeks of treatment.

Vaginal pH decreased significantly (p = 0.0006) in the estradiol group compared with the placebo group. Similarly, in the estradiol group the mean maturation value increased significantly (p = 0.0004), while incidence of pallor and friability were significantly reduced. Patients in the estradiol group reported significantly greater relief of dyspareunia.

The results indicate that the estradiol-releasing vaginal ring is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of local estrogen deficiency.