Effects of vaginal DHEA on stress urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women with vulvovaginal atrophy

IF 3.9 2区医学 Q2 GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY

Maturitas Pub Date : 2025-03-01 DOI:10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108232

Giulia Misasi , Eleonora Russo , Maria Magdalena Montt Guevara , Veronica Tomatis , Tiziana Fidecicchi , Stefano Luisi , Andrea Giannini , Paolo Mannella , Marta Caretto , Giorgio Pomara , Tommaso Simoncini

{"title":"Effects of vaginal DHEA on stress urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women with vulvovaginal atrophy","authors":"Giulia Misasi , Eleonora Russo , Maria Magdalena Montt Guevara , Veronica Tomatis , Tiziana Fidecicchi , Stefano Luisi , Andrea Giannini , Paolo Mannella , Marta Caretto , Giorgio Pomara , Tommaso Simoncini","doi":"10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108232","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To evaluate the effects of vaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function in postmenopausal women (PMW) suffering from vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA).</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>This prospective observational pilot study included 34 PMW with VVA and moderate SUI. Eligibility criteria included no hormonal therapy nor infections. Participants received 6.5 mg/day vaginal DHEA for 12 weeks, and SUI symptoms and PFM function were assessed before and after treatment.</div></div><div><h3>Main outcome measures</h3><div>Primary outcome was SUI improvement, which was measured using a 3-day bladder diary and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF). Secondary outcomes included the assessment of PFM function, which was evaluated using the Modified Oxford Scale (MOS).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>After 12 weeks of treatment, there was a statistically significant reduction in SUI episodes (p < 0.001). The median ICIQ-UI SF score decreased from 12 to 9 (p < 0.001), indicating a significant reduction in urinary symptoms. Additionally, there was a significant improvement in PFM tone, as reflected in higher MOS scores (p < 0.001).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Vaginal DHEA treatment has been shown to significantly alleviate urinary symptoms, enhance quality of life, and strengthen PFM function in PMW with SUI and VVA. Further studies are required to confirm these findings and to explore the potential of androgen therapy in the treatment of SUI.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51120,"journal":{"name":"Maturitas","volume":"196 ","pages":"Article 108232"},"PeriodicalIF":3.9000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Maturitas","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378512225000404","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of vaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function in postmenopausal women (PMW) suffering from vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA).

Study design

This prospective observational pilot study included 34 PMW with VVA and moderate SUI. Eligibility criteria included no hormonal therapy nor infections. Participants received 6.5 mg/day vaginal DHEA for 12 weeks, and SUI symptoms and PFM function were assessed before and after treatment.

Main outcome measures

Primary outcome was SUI improvement, which was measured using a 3-day bladder diary and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF). Secondary outcomes included the assessment of PFM function, which was evaluated using the Modified Oxford Scale (MOS).

Results

After 12 weeks of treatment, there was a statistically significant reduction in SUI episodes (p < 0.001). The median ICIQ-UI SF score decreased from 12 to 9 (p < 0.001), indicating a significant reduction in urinary symptoms. Additionally, there was a significant improvement in PFM tone, as reflected in higher MOS scores (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Vaginal DHEA treatment has been shown to significantly alleviate urinary symptoms, enhance quality of life, and strengthen PFM function in PMW with SUI and VVA. Further studies are required to confirm these findings and to explore the potential of androgen therapy in the treatment of SUI.

查看原文本刊更多论文

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

Maturitas 医学-妇产科学

CiteScore

9.10

自引率

2.00%

发文量

142

审稿时长

40 days

期刊介绍： Maturitas is an international multidisciplinary peer reviewed scientific journal of midlife health and beyond publishing original research, reviews, consensus statements and guidelines, and mini-reviews. The journal provides a forum for all aspects of postreproductive health in both genders ranging from basic science to health and social care. Topic areas include:• Aging• Alternative and Complementary medicines• Arthritis and Bone Health• Cancer• Cardiovascular Health• Cognitive and Physical Functioning• Epidemiology, health and social care• Gynecology/ Reproductive Endocrinology• Nutrition/ Obesity Diabetes/ Metabolic Syndrome• Menopause, Ovarian Aging• Mental Health• Pharmacology• Sexuality• Quality of Life