EMAS clinical guide on low-dose vaginal estrogens for postmenopausal vaginal atrophy

Elsevier, a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, announced today the publication of a position statement by the European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) in the journal Maturitas. The society published a clinical guide on low-dose vaginal estrogens for postmenopausal vaginal atrophy also including a summary of recommendations.

Vaginal atrophy is common after menopause and adversely affects quality of life in one out of every two women. This guide provides the evidence for the clinical use of low-dose vaginal estrogens for this condition, focusing on publications since the 2006 Cochrane systematic review. The guide concludes that low-dose vaginal estrogens are effective and that there is no need for added progestogens for endometrial protection if topical estrogens are used in the recommended doses. With regard to duration of use, recommendations vary among patients, but vaginal atrophy is a chronic condition and will recur on cessation of treatment. Thus annual review would be prudent.