Preoperative treatment with oestradiol in women scheduled for vaginal operation for genital prolapse. A randomised, double-blind trial.

OBJECTIVE

To disclose a clinical and histopathological effect of local low-dose oestradiol treatment on the vagina.

DESIGN

A randomised, double-blind trial.

SETTING

Two gynaecological departments at University Hospitals.

SUBJECTS: Forty-eight postmenopausal women scheduled for surgery because of genital prolapse.

INTERVENTION: 25 micrograms oestradiol or placebo, administered as vaginal pessaries daily, 3 weeks prior to surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cytological, histological and clinical changes of the vaginal mucosa.

RESULTS

The thickness of the vaginal wall increased as did the oestrogenic index. No clinical effect was seen apart from decreased incidence of recurrent cystitis postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative oestrogen treatment has been shown to reduce the incidence of recurrent cystitis and may be needed for stimulation of vaginal mucosa; the short-term clinical effect is not convincing, however.