Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of synthetic conjugated estrogens B (SCE-B; 0.3 mg/d) for 12 weeks in the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy in symptomatic, postmenopausal women.
Design: Prospective, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Setting: Forty-two participating sites in the United States.
Patient(s): Postmenopausal women with at least one moderate to severe symptom of vaginal atrophy.
Intervention(s): Daily oral administration, in a randomized, placebo-controlled setting, of SCE-B (0.3 mg) or of placebo for 12 weeks.
Main outcome measure(s): Mean changes in vaginal maturation index, percentage of parabasal and superficial cells, vaginal pH, and severity of the most bothersome symptom (MBS) between baseline and predetermined time points were assessed. Safety and tolerability were evaluated.
Result(s): A total of 310 women (mean age, 58.6 y) were enrolled. Synthetic conjugated estrogens B yielded statistically significantly greater differences in vaginal maturation index and vaginal pH from baseline to the end of treatment. Vaginal dryness (44.4%) and pain during intercourse (30.2%) were the symptoms most commonly identified as the MBS. A statistically significant mean reduction in the severity of the MBS was noted for SCE-B. There were no clinically significant differences observed between the two groups for findings related to safety.
Conclusion(s): Synthetic conjugated estrogens B (0.3 mg/d) was effective in treating vulvovaginal atrophy in symptomatic postmenopausal women. Significant improvement was seen in vaginal maturation index, vaginal pH, and severity of MBS from baseline to the end of treatment.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00196378.