Comparison of the effect of vaginal vitamin E cream with conjugated estrogen vaginal cream on vulvovaginal atrophy and overactive bladder syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin E on vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) and overactive bladder syndrome (OABS). Materials and methods: This trial was conducted on 72 postmenopausal women referring to health centers. Participants were randomly divided into the intervention (vitamin E, vaginal cream) and control (conjugated estrogen, vaginal cream) groups. The duration of the intervention was eight weeks, as they took medicine every day in the first week and then, twice a week. The primary outcome is to compare the symptoms of VVA in the intervention and control groups, and the secondary outcome includes the comparison of the mean score of OABS, pH, vaginal health index (VHI), and side effects eight weeks after treatment. Results: The mean score of VVA in both groups improved significantly during eight-week, and the difference between the groups was not statistically significant [Adjusted mean difference (AMD): 0.63, 95% Confidence interval (CI) − 1.03–2.28, p = 0.449]. The mean score of OABS decreased significantly in both groups, and the difference between the groups was not statistically significant [AMD: 0.261, 95% CI − 1.278–1.799, p = 0.736]. The mean score of VHI increased significantly in both groups, and the difference between the groups was not significant [AMD: 0.64, 95% CI − 0.13–1.42, p = 0.101]. Conclusion: Vaginal vitamin E cream may be an alternative to vaginal estrogen in the symptom relief of vaginal atrophy and OABS among postmenopausal women, especially those who cannot use hormone therapy.