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Query: UMLS:C0033774 (pruritus)
 14,546 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Fifty-four postmenopausal patients with atrophic vaginitis satisfactorily completed one to two months' therapy with daily intravaginal application of 0.2 mg of 17 beta-estradiol in a cream base. No significant alterations were noted in the hematologic biochemical, and urine analyses. A number of response criteria showed significant improvement (P less than .01), including the severity rating for atrophic vaginitis, the maturation index of vaginal cells, the frequency and severity of hot flashes, the presence of vaginal dryness and itching, dyspareunia, skin flushing, and the severity of sweating episodes. The incidence of side effects was low and included breast tenderness and abdominal cramping.
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PMID:Safety and efficacy of micronized estradiol vaginal cream. 48 79

Symptoms due to estrogen deficiency begin in the perimenopausal years and progress as serum levels of this hormone decrease Vasomotor instability, manifested by hot flushes or night sweats, may persist for several months to a few years. Psychologic symptoms include anxiety, tension, depression, insomnia, palpitations, and headaches. Atrophy of the genital epithelium may result in senile vaginitis with symptoms of irritation, burning, pruritus, dyspareunia, and even vaginal bleeding. Even the lower urinary tract mucosa is dependent upon estrogen. Postmenopausal osteoporosis affects 25 to 50% of older women and increases the risk for vertebral, hip, and other fractures. Estrogen therapy for menopausal complaints has received adverse publicity because several reports have indicated that unopposed estrogens increase the risk of endometrial cancer. Added progestogen not only negates this risk but reduces the incidence of endometrial adenocarcinoma in estrogen-progestogen users to less than that observed in untreated women. Estrogen replacement therapy does not increase the risk of breast cancer; the incidence of this malignancy, however, was also less in the estrogen-progestogen users when compared with either the untreated women or from that expected from the national cancer surveys. In evaluating postmenopausal women for hormone replacement, the benefits of estrogen-progestogen therapy must be weighed against possible risks.
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PMID:The menopause. 351 23

It is noted that advertisements in medical journals recommend treatment of emotional symptoms in menopausal patients with Premarin (Ayerst brand of conjugated estrogens), Ogen (Abbott brand of piperazine estrone sulfate), or other compounds. There are no acceptable studies proving the usefulness of such combinations for symptoms relating to the menopause and no persuasive evidence to justify use of conjugated or any other type of estrogen in the treatment of emotional symptoms in menopausal women. Vasomotor symptoms, flushing, and sweats respond to estrogens. Symptoms do not recur if treatment is stopped after 1 or 2 years. Systematic or topical use of estrogens fails to promote the appearance of youthfulness. Vaginal pruritus and dyspareunia due to atrophic vaginitis may be relieved by estrogens either applied locally or orally. Libido is not heightened by exogenous estrogens but sufficient androgen doses cause virilization. It is doubtful if osteoporosis is favorably influenced by long-term use of estrogens. Estrogen therapy may cause spotting, menarrhagia, nausea, breast tenderness, or fluid retention. Prolonged use may cause increase in size of uterine fibroids. Personal or even family history of breast or genital cancer are considered contraindications.
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PMID:Estrogens and the menopausal patient. 434 58

Focus in this discussion of the pharmacology of gynecology is on the following: vaginal infections; genital herpes; genital warts; pelvic inflammatory disease; urinary infections; pruritus vulvae; menstrual problems; infertility; oral contraception; and hormone replacement therapy. Doctors in England working in Local Authority Family Planning Clinics are debarred from prescribing, and any patient with a vaginal infection has to be referred either to a special clinic or to her general practitioner which is often preferable as her medical history will be known. Vaginal discharge is a frequent complaint, and it is necessary to obtain full details. 1 of the most common infections is vaginal candidosis. Nystatin pessaries have always been a useful 1st-line treatment and are specific for this type of infection. Trichomonas infection also occurs frequently and responds well to metronidazole in a 200 mg dosage, 3 times daily for 7 days. It is necessary to treat the consort at the same time. Venereal diseases such as syphilis and gonorrhea always require vigorous treatment. Patients are now presenting with herpes genitalis far more often. The only treatment which is currently available, and is as good as any, is the application of warm saline to the vaginal area. Genital warts may be discovered on routine gynecological examination or may be reported to the doctor by the patient. 1 application of a 20% solution of podophyllum, applied carefully to each wart, usually effects a cure. Pelvic inflammatory disease seems to be on the increase. Provided any serious disease is ruled out a course of systemic antibiotics is often effective. Urinary infections are often seen in the gynecologic clinic, and many of these will respond well to 2 tablets of co-trimoxazole, 2 times daily for 14 days. In pruritus vulvae it is important to determine whether the cause is general or local. Menstrual problems regularly occur and have been increased by the IUD and the low-dose progesterone pill. Infertility necessitates investigation. It is helpful to use the temperature chart method to determine whether the patient is ovulating. Oral contraception merits only passing mention, i.e., the introduction of a new sequential pill containing ethynloestradiol and levonorgestrol. There is always the question of a possible relationship between long-term OC use and the development of endometrial cancer. There are certain definite indications for hormone replacement therapy, i.e., hot flushes, sweating and atrophic vaginitis.
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PMID:The pharmacology of gynaecology. 744 23

A silicone vaginal ring releasing 5-10 micrograms oestradiol/24 h for a minimum of 90 days has been developed for treatment of urogenital mucosal atrophy. The efficacy, safety and acceptability of the oestradiol-releasing ring were studied in 222 postmenopausal women with symptoms and signs of atrophic vaginal mucosa. The maturation of the vaginal epithelium, as measured by cytological parameters, was significantly improved during treatment. No proliferation of the endometrium was encountered. The therapy had a significant effect on symptoms (vaginal dryness, pruritus vulvae, dyspareunia, urinary urgency) and on signs of atrophic vaginitis, with cure/improvement registered in > or = 90%. The patient acceptability was high, since > or = 90% did not report any discomfort with the ring. Almost all of the sexually active women had the ring in place during coitus and in < or = 2% of cases discomfort was noticed by them or the partner. It is concluded that a vaginal silicone ring giving a continuous release of an ultra-low dose of oestradiol is an effective and safe treatment for urogenital oestrogen deficiency. No addition of progestagen is needed.
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PMID:Oestradiol-releasing vaginal ring for treatment of postmenopausal urogenital atrophy. 848 27

For many women with chronic vulvovaginal symptoms, overdiagnosis of vulvovaginal candiasis (VVC) is an unfortunate tendency. In women with chronic vulvar itching or burning, a vulvar non-neoplastic epithelial disorder is a relatively frequent diagnosis. Although controversy persists about the nomenclature for these disorders, there seems to be a relatively clear consensus with lichen sclerosus. This chronic inflammatory skin disease affects primarily the female vulvar and perianal areas. Left untreated, it may lead to chronic scarring of the vulva with an associated loss of architecture. The etiology remains unknown, although infectious, genetic, and autoimmune causes have been suggested. Most patients will respond to potent topical corticosteroids. Treatment of associated conditions such as atrophic vaginitis or complicated VVC is sometimes necessary. Surgery should be considered in patients with severe scarring.
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PMID:Lichen Sclerosus and Other Conditions Mimicking Vulvovaginal Candidiasis. 1243 28

Common infectious forms of vaginitis include bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and trichomoniasis. Vaginitis also can occur because of atrophic changes. Bacterial vaginosis is caused by proliferation of Gardnerella vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis, and anaerobes. The diagnosis is based primarily on the Amsel criteria (milky discharge, pH greater than 4.5, positive whiff test, clue cells in a wet-mount preparation). The standard treatment is oral metronidazole in a dosage of 500 mg twice daily for seven days. Vulvovaginal candidiasis can be difficult to diagnose because characteristic signs and symptoms (thick, white discharge, dysuria, vulvovaginal pruritus and swelling) are not specific for the infection. Diagnosis should rely on microscopic examination of a sample from the lateral vaginal wall (10 to 20 percent potassium hydroxide preparation). Cultures are helpful in women with recurrent or complicated vulvovaginal candidiasis, because species other than Candida albicans (e.g., Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis) may be present. Topical azole and oral fluconazole are equally efficacious in the management of uncomplicated vulvovaginal candidiasis, but a more extensive regimen may be required for complicated infections. Trichomoniasis may cause a foul-smelling, frothy discharge and, in most affected women, vaginal inflammatory changes. Culture and DNA probe testing are useful in diagnosing the infection; examinations of wet-mount preparations have a high false-negative rate. The standard treatment for trichomoniasis is a single 2-g oral dose of metronidazole. Atrophic vaginitis results from estrogen deficiency. Treatment with topical estrogen is effective.
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PMID:Management of vaginitis. 1560 61

The involution of the female genital tract seems to reflect a built-in biological life expectancy, inter-related with the hypothalamic-hypophyseal-ovarian axis. Lower levels of oestradiol have a number of adverse effects, including on the lower urinary tract. The major universal change is vaginal atrophy. The vaginal mucosa becomes thinner and dry, which can produce vaginal discomfort, dryness, burning, itching, and dyspareunia. The vaginal epithelium may become inflamed, contributing to urinary symptoms such as frequency, urgency, dysuria, incontinence, and/or recurrent infections. Moreover, it has been suggested that reduced oestrogen levels may affect periurethral tissues and contribute to pelvic laxity and stress incontinence. In association with hypoestrogenemia, changes in vaginal pH and vaginal flora may predispose post-menopausal women to urinary tract infection. Treatment to date has been based on local hormonal therapy, in the form of vaginal creams, tablets or suppositories. Other routes of hormone administration have also proved to be successful. Both local and systemic administration are both effective in maturation of the vaginal epithelium. However, despite the fact that the benefits of oestrogen replacement in preventing vaginal atrophy and reducing the incidence of related symptoms are well established, such therapy is contraindicated in some women and is not an acceptable option for others. Furthermore, the optimal HT administration route, the dosage regimen, and non-hormonal alternatives for improving symptoms and quality of life of the post-menopausal female population, have not been well studied. This review focuses on the changes involved in vaginal aging and efforts to present a synopsis of the pathophysiology and therapy of atrophic vaginitis and vaginal atrophy.
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PMID:Management of post-menopausal vaginal atrophy and atrophic vaginitis. 1613 49

Menopause is often associated with vaginal atrophy and related symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, burning, itching, and dyspareunia, decrease in libido and in general a decrease in the quality of life. The common treatment up to the 1990's has been the oral hormone replacement therapy (HRT), but this treatment has been consequently re-considered due to its adverse effects. Topical estrogenic products have been subsequently developed to minimize the systemic adverse effects of the oral HRT, but they are still considered at risk in case of prolonged use. As an alternative, two clinical trials were performed to investigate the effects of a medical device in the form of a gel, containing hyaluronic acid, liposomes, phytoestrogens from Humulus lupulus extract, and Vitamin E, with the aim of testing its safety and efficacy in post-menopausal women with urogenital atrophy. The first pilot study confirmed in 10 women the good safety profile, both locally and systemically, of the device applied on the external genitals at the dose of 1-2 g/day for 30 days. The second study was carried out, according to a multicenter, open, non-controlled design, in 100 post-menopausal women assigned to the vaginal application of 2.5 g of gel/day for 1 week followed by two applications/week for 11 weeks. The primary end-point was the evaluation of vaginal dryness assessed by a Visual Analogue Scale both by the investigator and the subject. Secondary endpoints were the evaluation of all other symptoms and signs associated with atrophic vaginitis (itching, burning, dyspareunia, vaginal inflammation/oedema and rash assessed by a 4-point scale and presence of vaginal abrasions and disepithelialisation), and the recording of adverse events during the study. At the end of the treatment, an overall judgment on the efficacy and safety of the device was made by the investigator and a judgment on the acceptability of the treatment was made by the subjects. The results showed a marked effect of the tested product on the vaginal dryness and on all other symptoms and signs with statistically significant reductions since the first week of treatment. No treatment-related adverse events were complained by the subjects and the treatment course showed a high level of acceptability by the subjects. This device could be considered an effective and safe alternative treatment of genital atrophy in post-menopausal women, especially when HRT is not recommended.
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PMID:Open, non-controlled clinical studies to assess the efficacy and safety of a medical device in form of gel topically and intravaginally used in postmenopausal women with genital atrophy. 1661 16

With the loss of estrogen that occurs with menopause, physiologic and structural changes occur within the vulvovaginal mucosa that lead to a condition commonly called atrophic vaginitis. Although mild genital changes occur in most women, 10-47% of postmenopausal women will develop one or more debilitating symptoms that include vulvovaginal dryness, dyspareunia, vulvar itching or pain, recurrent urinary tract infections, as well as abnormal vaginal discharge. Topical estrogen replacement therapies reverse these mucosal changes and are effective treatments for the symptoms of atrophic vaginitis. Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants also provide symptomatic relief for vaginal dryness and dyspareunia, respectively.
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PMID:Atrophic vaginitis. 2086 5


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