Non-hormonal treatment of women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause
Saidova A.S., Apolikhina I.A., Tarnaeva L.A., Svidzinskaya N.V.
Background: Vulvar and vaginal dryness accompanied by discomfort is a common problem among women. This problem occurs at various stages of life, including premenopausal, postpartum and postoperative periods. Although hormone therapy is the conventional approach, there is a need for effective and safe non-hormonal alternatives.
Objective: To evaluate the vaginal microbiome, as well as efficacy and safety of Xylalgin vaginal suppositories in women with symptoms of vaginal dryness and related discomfort.
Materials and methods: This was an observational study including 80 female patients who applied Xylalgin once daily in the vagina for 7–10 days. Microbiome was assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).
Results: The suppositories demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in vulvar and vaginal itching and dryness, and an increase in the Vaginal Health Index. The FISH data showed a tendency to normalization of the vaginal microbiome, which was expressed in a decrease in the number of opportunistic microorganisms and an increase in the proportion of lactobacilli that are characteristic of normocenosis. No adverse events associated with the use of suppositories were observed. The effect of the suppositories was rated as completely satisfactory by 84% of the patients.
Conclusion: Xylalgin is a promising non-hormonal treatment for relieving symptoms of vulvar and vaginal dryness and discomfort, helping to improve women’s quality of life. The study emphasizes the importance of finding safe and effective solutions for this common problem.
Authors' contributions: Apolikhina I.A., Saidova A.S. – developing the concept and design of the study, statistical processing of the data; Saidova A.S., Tarnaeva L.A., Svidzinskaya N.V. – collecting and processing the material; Saidova A.S., Tarnaeva L.A. – writing the text; Apolikhina I.A. – editing the article.
Conflicts of interest: The authors declare no possible conflicts of interest.
Funding: The study was conducted without sponsorship.
Patient Consent for Publication: The patients provided an informed consent for the publication of their data and images.
For citation: Saidova A.S., Apolikhina I.A., Tarnaeva L.A., Svidzinskaya N.V.
Non-hormonal treatment of women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2025; (1): 106-112 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2024.240
Keywords
vulvovaginal atrophy
non-hormonal therapy
premenopause
postmenopause
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Received 26.09.2024
Accepted 25.12.2024
About the Authors
Aina S. Saidova, PhD, Obstetrician-Gynecologist at the Department of Aesthetic Gynecology and Rehabilitation, V.I. Kulakov NMRC for OG&P, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, +7(495)735-10-55, a_saidova@oparina4.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3473-3109Inna A. Apolikhina, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Head of the Department of Aesthetic Gynecology and Rehabilitation, V.I. Kulakov NMRC for OG&P, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4; Professor at the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Perinatology, and Reproductology, Institute of Professional Education, I.M. Sechenov First MSMU, Ministry of Health of Russia (Sechenov University), 119048, Russia, Moscow, Trubetskaya str., 8-2, i_apolikhina@oparina4.ru,
SPIN: 6282-7435, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4581-6295
Liana A. Tarnaeva, PhD student at the Department of Aesthetic Gynecology and Rehabilitation, V.I. Kulakov NMRC for OG&P, Ministry of Health of Russia,
117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, li.tarnaeva@ya.ru, https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7500-7516
Nadezhda V. Svidzinskaya, student, I.M. Sechenov First MSMU, Ministry of Health of Russia (Sechenov University), 119048, Russia, Moscow, Trubetskaya str., 8-2, svidzinskaya_n_v@staff.sechenov.ru, https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8157-2216
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