The Outcome of Chinese Women With Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Treated With Vaginal Dehydroepiandrosterone

A Review on the Clinical Outcome of Chinese Women With Moderate to Severe Symptoms of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) Treated With Vaginal Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a common condition with prevalence was up to 80%. Symptoms associated with GSM include vaginal or vulvar dryness, itchiness, dyspareunia, increased urinary frequency or urgency and dysuria. Although the symptoms are disturbing and causing a significant negative impact on quality of life, it is observed that only a minority of the women receive proper treatment. Treating these GSM-associated symptoms properly is important because these symptoms usually persist with time, unlike vasomotor symptoms of menopause which may subside spontaneously with time.

The clinical efficacy and metabolism of vaginal DHEA has been evaluated in western population. However, there is lack of local data on the effectiveness of vaginal DHEA in treating Chinese women with GSM. Therefore, we aim at evaluating the clinical outcome of our participants who have moderate to severe symptoms of GSM who has been treated with vaginal DHEA.

Study Overview

• Status: Terminated
• Conditions: Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: vaginal dehydroepiandrosterone

Detailed Description

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a common condition with prevalence was up to 80%. [1] Symptoms associated with GSM include vaginal or vulvar dryness, itchiness, dyspareunia, increased urinary frequency or urgency and dysuria. [2] Although the symptoms are disturbing and causing a significant negative impact on quality of life, it is observed that only a minority of the women receive proper treatment. Treating these GSM-associated symptoms properly is important because these symptoms usually persist with time, unlike vasomotor symptoms of menopause which may subside spontaneously with time.

Current treatments for GSM-associated symptoms in our unit at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital include vaginal moisturizer and local estrogen- based medications. For vaginal moisturizer, they usually fail to alter the underlying pathophysiological change in urogenital tract. For estrogen-containing treatment, long term use is not recommended as systemic absorption of hormones may occur. A new medication, vaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has been introduced to our unit to treat women with moderate to severe symptoms of GSM since July 2021. The clinical efficacy and metabolism of vaginal DHEA has been evaluated in western population. There were four randomized placebo- controlled studies [3-6] showing that 12 weeks treatment of DHEA improved moderate to severe symptoms of GSM. In comparative studies, the efficacy of DHEA was similar to that of conjugated equine estrogen and estradiol. In addition, due to intracrine action of DHEA in particular tissue, it has not showed to increase the level of circulating estrogen or the androgen level beyond the menopausal range. [7]

However, there is lack of local data on the effectiveness of vaginal DHEA in treating Chinese women with GSM. Therefore, we aim at evaluating the clinical outcome of our participants who have moderate to severe symptoms of GSM who has been treated with vaginal DHEA.

All Chinese women who have moderate to severe symptoms of GSM and treated with vaginal DHEA since year 2021-2022. All menopause Chinese women with moderate to severe symptoms of GSM and treated with vaginal DHEA were enrolled for analysis. Menopause is defined as cessation of menses for more than 1 year in women with uterus, or follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ≥ 40 in women with no menses more than 6 months. Diagnosis of GSM was made after exclusion of other differential diagnosis such as candidiasis / lichen sclerosis/ urodynamic stress incontinence/ detrusor over-activity etc. Moderate to severe symptoms of GSM was defined as a visual analogue score (VAS) of 4 or above of any item including vaginal itchiness, dryness, pain and hotness, dysuria, urinary urgency, stress urinary incontinence, urinary urge incontinence and dyspareunia.

There is a standard dataset for patients presenting with GSM is available in the O&G Department. During the clinic visit, a thorough history and physical examination including abdominal and genital examination will be performed. A transvaginal ultrasound will be performed to determine the endometrial thickness (ET) and exclude other adnexal pathology. Blood taking for hormonal profile was will be performed for baseline check. Mid-stream urinalysis and high vaginal swab will be taken to rule out any infection. After excluding history of hormonal sensitive cancer, active or history of thromboembolic events, unexplained abnormal uterine bleeding and endometrial thickness ≥5mm. If the participant has moderate to severe symptoms of GSM and fit for vaginal DHEA, a 12-week vaginal DHEA will be prescribed. A follow-up appointment will be given in 3-6 months interval to review symptoms. Participants will receive the intervention of vaginal DHEA as a routine medical care.

The medical records of Chinese participants with moderate to severe symptoms of GSM and treated with vaginal DHEA of the aforesaid period will be reviewed. Participant's demographic data, symptoms severity, clinical assessments, investigations, treatment outcome and adverse effect will be collected. The effect of vaginal DHEA will be studied. The end date to the retrospective data collection is 15 Mar 2022.

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a prevalent but commonly neglected condition. Symptoms can be disturbing to the affected women and affecting their quality of life. The review of the clinical outcome of Chinese women with moderate to severe symptoms of GSM treated with vaginal DHEA allows us to raise awareness of this condition and improve our clinical management. These could also provide a better local evidence of future clinical, research use and patient care.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 4

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Hong Kong
  • Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 852
    • The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: N/A

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

All menopause Chinese women with moderate to severe symptoms of GSM and treated with vaginal DHEA were enrolled for analysis.

Menopause is defined as cessation of menses for more than 1 year in women with uterus, or follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ≥ 40 in women with no menses more than 6 months.

Moderate to severe symptoms of GSM was defined as a visual analogue score (VAS) of 4 or above of any item including vaginal itchiness, dryness, pain and hotness, dysuria, urinary urgency, stress urinary incontinence, urinary urge incontinence and dyspareunia.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• All menopause Chinese women who have moderate to severe symptoms of Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and treated with vaginal DHEA

Exclusion Criteria:

• Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) due to other differential diagnosis such as candidiasis / lichen sclerosis/urodynamic stress incontinence/ detrusor over-activity.
• Amenorrhoea due to medication
• History of hormonal sensitive cancer, active or history of thromboembolic events, unexplained abnormal uterine bleeding
• Endometrial thickness ≥ 5mm

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Chinese women with moderate to severe symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause; It is a single-group study.	Other: vaginal dehydroepiandrosterone; the clinical outcome in Chinese women with moderate to severe symptoms of GSM treated with vaginal DHEA for 12 weeks will be evaluated

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
The symptoms in Chinese women with moderate to severe symptoms of GSM.	The symptoms of GSM were assessed by a visual analogue score (0 to 10) of items including vaginal itchiness, dryness, pain and hotness, dysuria, urinary urgency, stress urinary incontinence, urinary urge incontinence and dyspareunia. The higher scores mean a worse outcome.	baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
The clinical outcome in Chinese women with moderate to severe symptoms of GSM treated with vaginal DHEA	The clinical outcomes were assessed by a visual analogue score (0 to 10) of items including vaginal itchiness, dryness, pain and hotness, dysuria, urinary urgency, stress urinary incontinence, urinary urge incontinence and dyspareunia. The higher scores mean a worse outcome.	12-week

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Chinese University of Hong Kong
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Yan Yan Lau, Chinese University of Hong Kong

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Labrie F, Cusan L, Gomez JL, Cote I, Berube R, Belanger P, Martel C, Labrie C. Effect of intravaginal DHEA on serum DHEA and eleven of its metabolites in postmenopausal women. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2008 Sep;111(3-5):178-94. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2008.06.003. Epub 2008 Jun 12. Erratum In: J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2008 Nov;112(1-3):169.
• Labrie F, Archer DF, Bouchard C, Fortier M, Cusan L, Gomez JL, Girard G, Baron M, Ayotte N, Moreau M, Dube R, Cote I, Labrie C, Lavoie L, Berger L, Gilbert L, Martel C, Balser J. Intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (prasterone), a highly efficient treatment of dyspareunia. Climacteric. 2011 Apr;14(2):282-8. doi: 10.3109/13697137.2010.535226. Epub 2011 Jan 18.
• Labrie F, Derogatis L, Archer DF, Koltun W, Vachon A, Young D, Frenette L, Portman D, Montesino M, Cote I, Parent J, Lavoie L, Beauregard A, Martel C, Vaillancourt M, Balser J, Moyneur E; Members of the VVA Prasterone Research Group. Effect of Intravaginal Prasterone on Sexual Dysfunction in Postmenopausal Women with Vulvovaginal Atrophy. J Sex Med. 2015 Dec;12(12):2401-12. doi: 10.1111/jsm.13045. Epub 2015 Nov 23.
• Labrie F, Archer DF, Koltun W, Vachon A, Young D, Frenette L, Portman D, Montesino M, Cote I, Parent J, Lavoie L, Beauregard A, Martel C, Vaillancourt M, Balser J, Moyneur E; VVA Prasterone Research Group. Efficacy of intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on moderate to severe dyspareunia and vaginal dryness, symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy, and of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Menopause. 2016 Mar;23(3):243-56. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000000571.
• Archer DF, Labrie F, Bouchard C, Portman DJ, Koltun W, Cusan L, Labrie C, Cote I, Lavoie L, Martel C, Balser J; VVA Prasterone Group. Treatment of pain at sexual activity (dyspareunia) with intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (prasterone). Menopause. 2015 Sep;22(9):950-63. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000000428.
• The NAMS 2020 GSM Position Statement Editorial Panel. The 2020 genitourinary syndrome of menopause position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2020 Sep;27(9):976-992. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001609.
• Binkowska M, Paszkowski T, Violetta SP, Wilczak M, Zgliczynski W. Position statement by Experts of the Polish Menopause and Andropause Society, and the Polish Society of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Gynaecology on the medicinal product Intrarosa(R). Prz Menopauzalny. 2019 Dec;18(3):127-132. doi: 10.5114/pm.2019.90113. Epub 2019 Dec 20. No abstract available.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 1, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): February 23, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): February 23, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 22, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 26, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): June 28, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 28, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 27, 2023
• Last Verified: July 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: vaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Disease; Syndrome; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Immunologic Factors; Adjuvants, Immunologic; Dehydroepiandrosterone
• Other Study ID Numbers: CRE 2022.089

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No