The vagina: therapeutic role of estrogen
Vincenza Di Stasi 1 –
, Irene Scavello1 –
, Elisa Maseroli 1,2 –
, Sarah Cipriani1,2–
, Linda Vignozzi1,2 – 
1 -Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”. University of Florence
2 -Andrology, Female Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence. Careggi University Hospital, Florence
Corresponding Author: Linda Vignozzi
linda.vignozzi@unifi.it
DOI: 10.53146/lriog1202146
Abstract
Estrogen plays a fundamental role in women’s well-being in general and par- ticularly in vaginal health. After menopause there is a gradual reduction in circulating estrogen levels which often results in the onset of symptoms of the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM). In the absence of con- traindications, local estrogens are among the most used drugs in relieving signs and symptoms of GSM. There are different formulations available and the choice of one over the other depends on the severity of the symptoms, the preferences of the patients and the risk / benefit ratio of each. In women with a history of hormone-responsive cancer or at high risk for this disease, the decision to undertake local estrogen-based hormone therapy to treat GSM should be assessed on a case-by-case basis and after appropriate multi- disciplinary counseling with the oncologists.
Keywords: estrogens; vagina; menopause; local therapies.
Available in LRIOG Nr.4 – 2021
e-ISSN: 1824-0283