Effects of non-vaginal route hormonal replacement therapy on vaginal maturation index in postmenopausal women.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the estrogenic effect on the maturation index of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women (PMW). Methods: The maturation indexes (MI) were evaluated based on vaginal cytology which was classified into no, low, moderate and high MI. Results: There were 70 PMW who were not on HRT evaluated for controls. There were 66%, 23%, 7% and 4% of them had no, low, moderate and high MI. There were 18 PMW who used transdermal estrogen patch or gel. It was found that 0%, 66%, 17% and 17% of them had no, low, moderate and high MI. There were 42 PMWs who were given oral hormonal tablets. It was found that 7%, 33%, 53% and 7% of them had no, low, moderate and high MI. Conclusion: Hormonal replacement therapy whether via patch, gel or oral intake resulted in changes in maturation index in postmenopausal women.