OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness and safety of estriol vs. conjugated estrogens of equine origin in the treatment of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Multicentric, double-blind, controlled, randomized clinical trial conducted in three clinics in Colombia between July 2015 and September 2017. Inclusion criteria: women with menopausal genitourinary syndrome treated with topical estrogens. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: A (estriol) and B (conjugated estrogens of equine origin). Study variables: serum levels of estradiol, total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, percentage of satisfaction with decreasing symptoms and time to disappearance. The following were also considered: vaginal pH lower than 4.5, vaginal maturation index score, intensity of vaginal dryness, need for systemic hormonal therapy, measurement of the endometrium, sexual behavior and coexistence of side effects.

RESULTS

We studied 387 women: 192 of group A, who received estriol and 195 of group B treated with conjugated estrogens of equine origin. The percentage of effectiveness in group A was 90.62% and in group B it was 89.23%; (p = 0.507). In women in group A there were fewer side effects (26.56%) than in group B (38.46%). No differences were found in the other variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Estriol and conjugated estrogens of equine origin are equally effective and safe in the treatment of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause.