Postpartum Dyspareunia Resulting From Vaginal Atrophy

Postpartum Dyspareunia Resulting From Vaginal Atrophy: Prevalence, Characteristics and Risk Factors

Postpartum dyspareunia (PD) is a recognized phenomenon: it is estimated that 50-60% of women have dyspareunia 6 to 7 weeks following delivery, and 33% and 17% will still report pain during intercourse three and six months after delivery, respectively.

Studies that evaluated the prevalence and the causes for PD referred primarily to obstetric trauma, such as vaginal tears, episiotomy, the mode of repair and damage to the pelvic floor muscles as probable causes for PD. These studies did not refer to estrogen deficiency and the possible effect of breastfeeding on vaginal atrophy and its contribution to PD. Comparison between vaginal deliveries and cesarean sections revealed that there is no difference in the prevalence of PD between the two groups, and according to these findings it can be assumed that the mechanical trauma to the vagina and pelvic floor during delivery is not the main cause for the development of PD.

Vaginal atrophy due to estrogen deficiency is a common cause for postmenopausal dyspareunia. With estrogen deficiency, profound changes occur in the vagina: vaginal mucosa becomes thin and pale or hyperemic and loose her flexibility. Blood flow decreases, normal vaginal discharge is reduced, and maturation of epithelial cells do not take place in the absence of estrogen. Women with estrogen deficiency may complain of dryness, pruritus, irritation, burning, dysuria, pain and dyspareunia. These changes are reversible by estrogen, given systemically or topically, and cause resolution of clinical findings, as well as disappearance of symptoms in several weeks.

Similar to postmenopausal patients, breastfeeding women immediately after delivery, experience decline of estrogen levels, and this decline may persist as long as lactation is continued. Therefore, many women after delivery may experience vaginal atrophy due to transitional lack of estrogen. It is possible that this atrophy is the cause for the high rate of PD.

Our clinical experience shows that many women present with postpartum dyspareunia with vaginal atrophy, and that vaginal atrophy is responsible for part or most of their complaints. Although most gynecologists recognize atrophy easily in menopausal women, vaginal atrophy is not recognized correctly in most puerperal patients and therefore do not receive attention and proper treatment.

The aim of the study is to characterize the phenomenon of postpartum vaginal atrophy in terms of prevalence, risk factors and duration, and the association between vaginal atrophy and postpartum dyspareunia.

We also intend to evaluate the effect of vaginal treatment with estriol cream 0.1% (Ovestin cream) on postpartum dyspareunia.

The study will expand our knowledge regarding postpartum dyspareunia and will enable formulating recommendations for evaluation and treatment of PD.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Vulvovaginal Atrophy; Dyspareunia Among Puerperal Women
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Estriol 0.1% vaginal cream

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 117

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Israel
  • Jerusalem, Israel
    • Clalit Women's Health Center
  • Modiin, Israel
    • Clalit Women's Health Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 14 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

100 postpartum women attending the clinic for their postpartum visit

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy, puerperal women who will be willing to participate, over 18 years old.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with puerperal complications such as: bleeding, fever, endometritis.
• Patients with significant systemic diseases.
• Patients who conceive again during the study.
• Patients who are not willing to participate

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Case-Only
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Postpartum patients; 100 postpartum women attending the clinic for their postpartum visit will be evaluated for vaginal atrophy, vaginal symptoms and dyspareunia.	Drug: Estriol 0.1% vaginal cream; Patients with both vulvovaginal atrophy (according to cytologic criteria) and dyspareunia will apply 0.5 ml of the cream (0.5 mg) to the vulvar vestibule once daily for one month and will return for check-up visit. In case both atrophy and dyspareunia will resolve, treatment with the cream will be continued 3 times a week.; Other Names: Ovestin vaginal cream

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Prevalence of vulvovaginal atrophy among puerperal women	Prevalence of vulvovaginal atrophy due to estrogen deficiency among puerperal women, according to cytological parameters.	one year

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Prevalence of dyspareunia among women with puerperal vaginal atrophy.	Prevalence and cause of dyspareunia among puerperal women with and without vaginal atrophy will be assesed	one year
Effect of treatment with topical estrogen on dyspareunia.	The effect of vaginal estrogen cream on the prevalence of atrophy, its effect on postpartum dyspareunia and side effects.	2 months from begining of treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Meir Medical Center
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Ahinoam Lev-Sagie, MD, Clalit health services

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Carroli G, Mignini L. Episiotomy for vaginal birth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 Jan 21;(1):CD000081. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000081.pub2.
• Wisniewski PM, Wilkinson EJ. Postpartum vaginal atrophy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1991 Oct;165(4 Pt 2):1249-54. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9378(12)90737-1.
• Signorello LB, Harlow BL, Chekos AK, Repke JT. Postpartum sexual functioning and its relationship to perineal trauma: a retrospective cohort study of primiparous women. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2001 Apr;184(5):881-8; discussion 888-90. doi: 10.1067/mob.2001.113855.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: March 1, 2011
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 1, 2013
• Study Completion (Actual): September 1, 2013

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 20, 2011
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 20, 2011
• First Posted (Estimate): March 22, 2011

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): April 8, 2015
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 7, 2015
• Last Verified: April 1, 2012

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Vaginal atrophy; Postpartum dyspareunia
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological; Atrophy; Dyspareunia
• Other Study ID Numbers: MMC11030-2011kCTIL