Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz have developed a promising non-hormonal treatment for women suffering from menopausal genitourinary syndrome (GSM). GSM is a common chronic disease caused by low estrogen levels that affects the vulva, vagina, and urinary tract, causing symptoms such as vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, and recurrent vaginal and urinary tract infections.
Unlike over-the-counter treatments that temporarily relieve symptoms, this new treatment is designed to restore estrogen signaling only within vaginal tissue, without exposing other parts of the body to estrogen.
In preclinical animal studies, this treatment restores the structure and function of vaginal tissues lost due to estrogen deficiency, suggesting a potential way to address the underlying cause of GSM rather than simply managing its symptoms.
The survey results are announced today. menopause.
For too many women, their current options are either products that provide only temporary relief or hormone-based treatments that they are uncomfortable using. ”
Dr. Steve Nordeen, lead author of the paper and professor emeritus, Department of Pathology, CU Anschutz School of Medicine
An estimated 50% to 70% of women who experience natural or medically induced menopause develop one or more symptoms of GSM.
Currently, these women often have to choose between living with painful symptoms, using over-the-counter products with limited effectiveness, or undergoing hormone therapy to replace estrogen. However, many women, especially those with a history of breast cancer or those at high risk for hormone-sensitive cancers, are unable or choose not to use hormone therapy due to concerns about the potential risks.
“Our goal was to develop a treatment that addresses the underlying causes of postmenopausal vaginal changes, not just the symptoms, without relying on steroid hormones. Further research is needed, but these findings suggest there may be promising new approaches,” Nordeen added.
To develop this therapy, Nordeen and colleagues synthesized a new nonsteroidal estrogen signaling molecule called 3-fluoro6,4′-dihydroxyflavone (3F). The treatment, administered as a vaginal suppository, regenerated the vaginal epithelium, the cell lining of the vagina, in a preclinical model of menopause with no evidence of systemic estrogen activity.
“Our findings suggest that safer and more effective treatments are within reach,” Nordeen said. “The next step is to secure the necessary support to move this therapy into human clinical trials and determine whether it offers a new treatment option for women.”
Researchers suggest that if future clinical trials confirm these findings, this treatment could provide a new option for millions of women experiencing GSM.
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University of Colorado Anschutz
