Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the vaginal tablet of hyaluronic acid and vitamin E in the treatment of atrophic vaginitis. This randomized, double-blind comparisonstudy was carried out on 40 postmenopausal women with symptoms of vaginal atrophy at number one health educational center of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran from August to December 2010. The women were randomized in two groups to take vaginal tablets containing 5 mg hyaluronic acid sodium salt (n = 20) or 1 mg vitamin E (n = 20) for 8 weeks. The symptoms of vaginal atrophy were evaluated by a self-assessed 4-point scale. Vaginal pH and maturation value were measured and compared in both groups.The results showed that the symptoms were relieved significantly in both the treatment groups (p < 0.001). The relief of symptoms was significantly superior in hyaluronic acid group (0.15) compared to vitamin E group (0.65) (p < 0.05). A significant decrease in vaginal pH were detected in both treatment groups after treatment without difference between the two groups (HA group, pH = 4.975, vitamin E, pH = 5.125). The vaginal maturation values were also significantly improved at both treatment groups (p < 0.001). The mean maturation value was significantly higher in hyaluronic acid group (60.52) compared to vitamin E group (24.50) (p < 0.001). Hyaluronic acid and vitamin E provided relief of vaginal symptoms, decreased vaginal pH and increased maturation of vaginal epithelium, but improvement was greater in hyaluronic acid group. Hence, hyaloronic acid vaginal tablet is suggested for women with vaginal atrophy who do not want to or cannot take local estrogen treatment.

Keywords:  Menopause, vaginal atrophy, maturation value, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E