TITLE:
Oral Low-Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid in the Treatment of Atrophic Vaginitis
AUTHORS:
Tindara La Galia, Antonio Micali, Domenico Puzzolo, Francesco Cancellieri
KEYWORDS:
Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid, Atrophic Vaginitis, Menopause, Vaginal Ephitelium
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Clinical Medicine,
Vol.5 No.11,
May
27,
2014
ABSTRACT:
The aim of this study was
to evaluate the effectiveness of low molecular weight hyaluronic acid oral
tablets for the treatment of atrophic vaginitis. 12 women with atrophic
vaginitis were recruited for this double blind, placebo-controlled study.
Patients were randomized to receive either low molecular weight hyaluronic acid
(HA) oral tablets or placebo for three months. Vaginal biopsies were taken at
baseline and after three months of treatment, and vaginal epithelium was
analysed using light microscopy. The evaluation of symptoms was self-assessed
by the patients. Biopsies from HA group showed an epithelium thicker than in
placebo group. The lamina propria from the HA group also showed a denser
appearance compared to placebo group. Morphometric analysis showed significant
differences between HA and baseline in the number of epithelial layers and in
the thickness. The evaluation of symptoms also showed an effective improvement
in the patients treated with HA, compared to baseline and to placebo group. In
conclusion, oral administration
of HA tablets improved the vaginal epithelium, decreasing atrophy. This can be an ideal option for patients with
atrophic vaginitis who do not want to or can not take estrogen and show low
compliance toward vaginal administration.