Photobiomodulation Effect on Vulvovaginal Atrophy in Postmenopausal Women.

Summary

Menopause is a physiological event and is defined as the loss of ovarian follicular activity, with consequent permanent cessation of menstrual cycles. Its diagnosis is made retrospectively after 12 months of amenorrhea, with no pathological cause involved. This period is marked by several changes in the female organism, mainly the genitourinary syndrome (GUS), which is a collection of signs and symptoms resulting from the state of hypoestrogenism. Almost half of postmenopausal women will experience symptoms of GUS, with vaginal dryness being the most prevalent, followed by dyspareunia and vulvovaginal irritation. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of photobiomodulation with red LED (ligth emitting diode) on the symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women. A randomized and controlled clinical trial will be developed, which will include postmenopausal women with signs and symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy. Participants will be allocated into two groups: those who will undergo photobiomodulation with intravaginal LED, and those who will receive vaginal cream with estriol. Objective and subjective improvement of atrophy will be assessed using the Vaginal Health Index and the visual analog scale, respectively. Vaginal pH, cell maturation index and changes in sexual function through the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire will also be assessed. The variables will be analyzed at the time of admission, in one and three months after the intervention.

Timeline

Start

2020-12-15

Primary completion

2021-09-30

Completion

2021-12-30

Publications

• Background Davis SR, Lambrinoudaki I, Lumsden M, Mishra GD, Pal L, Rees M, Santoro N, Simoncini T. Menopause. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2015 Apr 23;1:15004. doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2015.4.
• Background Schoenaker DA, Jackson CA, Rowlands JV, Mishra GD. Socioeconomic position, lifestyle factors and age at natural menopause: a systematic review and meta-analyses of studies across six continents. Int J Epidemiol. 2014 Oct;43(5):1542-62. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyu094. Epub 2014 Apr 26.
• Background Takahashi TA, Johnson KM. Menopause. Med Clin North Am. 2015 May;99(3):521-34. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2015.01.006.
• Background Gandhi J, Chen A, Dagur G, Suh Y, Smith N, Cali B, Khan SA. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause: an overview of clinical manifestations, pathophysiology, etiology, evaluation, and management. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Dec;215(6):704-711. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2016.07.045. Epub 2016 Jul 26.
• Background Kingsberg SA, Wysocki S, Magnus L, Krychman ML. Vulvar and vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: findings from the REVIVE (REal Women's VIews of Treatment Options for Menopausal Vaginal ChangEs) survey. J Sex Med. 2013 Jul;10(7):1790-9. doi: 10.1111/jsm.12190. Epub 2013 May 16.
• Background Pacagnella Rde C, Martinez EZ, Vieira EM. [Construct validity of a Portuguese version of the Female Sexual Function Index]. Cad Saude Publica. 2009 Nov;25(11):2333-44. doi: 10.1590/s0102-311x2009001100004. Portuguese.

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