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Obstetrics and Gynegology2024№8
Moisturizers in the management of...

Moisturizers in the management of patients with complaints of dryness in the genital area

DOI
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2024.198

Chernova N.I., Dolya O.V., Frigo N.V., Zadorozhnaya I.S.

Moscow Scientific and Practical Center for Dermatovenerology and Cosmetology, Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow, Russia

Background: Dryness in the genital area is a common problem that is also relevant for women of reproductive age. It can lead to a number of complications and seriously affect quality of life.
Objective. To present the experience of prescribing suppositories containing hyaluronic acid in combination with lactic acid to women of reproductive age complaining of vaginal dryness and discomfort.
Materials and methods: The observational study included 17 women aged from 22 to 47 years with complaints of sensations of dryness and discomfort in the vaginal area without signs of sexually transmitted infections, not pregnant and not in a state of lactation. In order to control unpleasant symptoms, the patients used vaginal suppositories containing high molecular hyaluronic acid and lactic acid racemate, 10 mg and 5 mg, respectively (Moistana medical product) once a night for a period of 14–18 days. During the follow-up period, the severity of the complaints was evaluated using a visual analog scale, while the severity of the sexual dysfunction was assessed with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) at the baseline and at the follow-up visits, which were conducted on days 8 and 20 from the start of therapy.
Results: At the first control visit, the average value of the "dryness" indicator – M (SD) – decreased from 4.7 (2.08) to 2.4 (1.12) points, and the "itch" indicator – from 3.9 (1.95) to 1.5 (1.23) points. Only 4 of the 17 participants had scores of "dryness" and "itching" indicators exceeding 3 points, being in the range of average severity only, respectively. At the final visit, all women noted an improvement in their condition: the average severity of the complaint "dryness" reached 0.5 (0.3) points, and the complaint "itching" – 0.72 (0.47) points, while 10 of the 17 participants reported complete relief of subjective complaints of dryness and itching in the vagina. The mean FSFI value reached 28.7 (1.9) points by the final visit (vs. 25.7 (2.5) points at baseline), the most marked improvement was observed in the parameters of lubrication (3.6 (0.5) and 4.8 (0.4) points at baseline and at the final visit, respectively) and absence of pain (3.7 (1.2) and 4.9 (0.7) points), and in the satisfaction index.  
Conclusion: Our experience has confirmed that high molecular weight hyaluronic acid is an effective and widely studied moisturizing component in products for the treatment of vulvovaginal dryness. Its combined use together with lactic acid in the form of vaginal suppositories may contribute to a more stable therapeutic result and improve the quality of life of women, including reproductive-aged ones.

Authors’ contributions: Chernova N.I., Dolya O.V., Frigo N.V., Zadorozhnaya I.S. – developing the concept and design of the article; Chernova N.I., Zadorozhnaya I.S. – preparing the material, writing the text; Chernova N.I., Dolya O.V., Frigo N.V. – editing the article.
Conflicts of interest: Authors declare lack of the 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.
Authors' Data Sharing Statement: The data supporting the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author after approval from the principal investigator.
For citation: Chernova N.I., Dolya O.V., Frigo N.V., Zadorozhnaya I.S. Moisturizers 
in the management of  patients with complaints of dryness in the genital area.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2024; (8): 134-140 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2024.198

Keywords

vaginal dryness
discomfort and itching in the vagina
high molecular hyaluronic acid
lactic acid
vaginal suppositories
moistening of the vaginal mucosa
chemotherapy
breast cancer
vulvovaginal dryness
Full text (in Russian)

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Received 01.08.2024

Accepted 20.08.2024

About the Authors

Nadezhda I. Chernova, Dr. Med. Sci., Head of the Department of Anogenital Dermatosis and Sexually Transmitted Infections, Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology, 127473 Russia, Moscow, Seleznevskaya str., 20, +7(916)692-83-35, d.chernova@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4111-6670
Olga V. Dolya, Professor, Dr. Med. Sci., Deputy Director for Scientific Work, Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology,
127473, Russia, Moscow, Seleznevskaya str., 20, dolya.o@mosderm.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5019-4593
Natalya V. Frigo, Professor, Dr. Med. Sci., Head of the Department of Scientific and Applied Research Methods, Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology, 127473, Russia, Moscow, Seleznevskaya str., 20, frigo@cnikvi.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6231-971X
Irina S. Zadorozhnaya, PhD, Junior Researcher at the Department of Anogenital Dermatosis and Sexually Transmitted Infections, Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology, 127473, Russia, Moscow, Seleznevskaya str., 20, d.zadorozhnayais@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7291-3149
Corresponding author: Nadezhda I. Chernova, d.chernova@mail.ru

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