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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT03493126

Vaginal Estrogen on Postpartum Atrophy, Perineal Pain, and Sexual Function

Pilot randomized, placebo-controlled trial of nulliparous postpartum women with a perineal laceration following a term vaginal delivery comparing vulvovaginal atrophy symptoms between women using vaginal estrogen in the postpartum period with those using placebo.

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Key information

Conditions

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 4

Primary location

The Ohio State University Urogynecology Clinic

Columbus, Ohio, 43215, United States

About this study

The overall goal of this study is to determine whether there are benefits to use of low-dose vaginal estrogen in the postpartum period. Dyspareunia and vaginal/perineal pain are well-known sequelae after vaginal delivery. However, the contribution of postpartum vaginal atrophy to these issues is largely unknown. Although the relationship between lactation, relative estrogen deprivation, and vulvovaginal atrophy has been established, there is a paucity of data regarding on the prevalence of vulvovaginal atrophy symptoms in the postpartum period. Additionally, although the benefits of vaginal estrogen in postmenopausal atrophy are well-established, the benefits in the postpartum period are unknown.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • females >18 years old with at least one prior prenatal care appointment affiliated with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; nulliparous; 1-2 days status post >37 weeks and 0 day vaginal delivery with at least a second degree perineal laceration; English-speaking and able to provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • allergies to estradiol cream or its constituents; a vaginal delivery associated with a intrauterine fetal demise or neonatal death; inability to complete questionnaires in English or comply with study protocol; and inability to apply vaginal cream independently. The following medical conditions and diagnoses are also exempted: undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding, known or suspected estrogen-dependent neoplasia, active or history of deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, active arterial thromboembolic disease, known liver dysfunction or disease, known protein C, protein S, or antithrombin deficiency, or other known thrombophilic disorders.

Treatment and study plan

Estradiol

Drug

17β-estradiol vaginal cream

Other names: Estrace

Placebo

Other

Compounded placebo cream

Primary outcomes

  1. Vulvar Assessment Scale (VUAS)

    Time frame: 3 months

    The VUAS is a four-item measurement administered by a clinical provider that quantifies and rates the patient's responses to questions of dryness, soreness, irritation and pain to external stimulation. Patients are asked whether they have experienced specific symptoms ("yes/no") during the past 4 weeks and rate symptom severity ("none," "mild," "moderate," "severe"). The first 3 items assess dryness, soreness, and irritation during routine activities excluding sexual intercourse and the fourth item assesses pain with external manual stimulation. An option for "no attempt" indicates a patient has not been sexually active within the past 4 weeks. Each item in the VuAS is scored from 0 (none) to 3 (severe) with composite scores calculated by taking the mean of the items when at least two of four items are not missing. Higher scores indicate worse symptoms. The minimum composite score is 0 and maximum composite score is 3.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Depression

    Time frame: 3 months

    Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) The EPDS is a validated 10-question depression assessment for postpartum women, which includes anxiety symptoms and excludes constitutional symptoms associated with depression common in the postpartum period, such as changes in sleeping patterns. Questions 1, 2, & 4 are scored 0, 1, 2 or 3 with top box scored as 0 and the bottom box scored as 3. Questions 3 and 5--10 are reverse scored, with the top box scored as a 3 and the bottom box scored as 0. Minimum total score: 0 Maximum total score: 30. Total score of 10 or higher may be indicative of postpartum depression.

  2. Urinary Symptoms

    Time frame: 3 months

    Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI-6) The UDI-6 is a questionnaire that includes 6 items evaluating bother from urinary symptoms with higher scores indicating more disability. Each item is scored from 0-3. The total score is the average individual score multiplied by 25. The minimal score is 0 and maximum score is 100.

  3. Fecal Incontinence

    Time frame: 3 months

    Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI) for bowel symptoms The FISI evaluates patient responses symptom severity to fecal incontinence with higher scores indicating more bothersome anal incontinence symptoms. The FISI score ranges from 0 to 61 with higher score indicating higher severity of the fecal incontinence.

  4. Sexual Function

    Time frame: 3 months

    Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) The FSFI is a validated questionnaire to assess sexual function in six domains of sexual function, including desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain over the 4 weeks prior to administration of questionnaire with lower scores indicating more sexual dysfunction. The FSFI score ranges from 2-36 with LOWER score indicating worse sexual dysfunction.

  5. Satisfaction Via Likert Scale

    Time frame: 3 months

    Likert scale Satisfaction will be assessed using the patient satisfaction questionnaire in response to the question, "How satisfied were you with your progress with this treatment?"

  6. Adverse Outcomes

    Time frame: 3 months

    At each clinical/research visit the participant will be asked about any adverse events (AEs). AEs will be reported with study outcomes.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ohio State University

Other

Collaborators

  • International Urogynecological Association

Registry information

Official study title

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Vaginal Estrogen on Postpartum Atrophy, Perineal Pain, and Sexual Function

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2020
First posted
Apr 10, 2018
Registry last updated
Dec 22, 2021

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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