Vaginal pH: a simple assessment highly correlated with vaginal morphology and symptoms in postmenopausal women

Menopause. 2018 Jul;25(7):762-766. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001081.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the utility of vaginal pH as a marker of menopause and vulvar and vaginal atrophy (VVA) before and after local estrogen treatment.

Methods: Vaginal pH was determined using standard pH paper strips in two clinical trials involving postmenopausal women with signs and symptoms of VVA evaluated before and after intervention with vaginal estradiol in softgel capsules. The utility of vaginal pH was evaluated as a screening method for VVA due to menopause and correlations were analyzed between vaginal pH and VVA symptoms, physical changes, and maturation of the vaginal epithelium.

Results: Changes in vaginal pH were significantly correlated with changes in superficial and parabasal cell counts; vaginal epithelial changes of color, integrity, thickness, and secretion; and the VVA symptoms of vaginal dryness and dyspareunia (vaginal pain with intercourse).

Conclusions: Vaginal pH consistently correlated with parabasal and superficial cells and the visual vaginal epithelial changes and symptoms of dryness and dyspareunia, and is thus a simple outpatient procedure that reflects the hormonal milieu and its effects on the vaginal epithelium.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase III
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intravaginal
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Atrophy / diagnosis
  • Atrophy / drug therapy
  • Atrophy / etiology
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Dyspareunia / drug therapy*
  • Dyspareunia / etiology
  • Dyspareunia / pathology
  • Estradiol / administration & dosage
  • Estrogens / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration / drug effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / methods*
  • Postmenopause
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vagina / chemistry*
  • Vagina / drug effects
  • Vagina / pathology
  • Vaginal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Vaginal Diseases / drug therapy
  • Vaginal Diseases / etiology

Substances

  • Estrogens
  • Estradiol