The Urology Center Glossary terms

Estrogen Deficiency:

Estrogen is a female hormone primarily produced by the ovaries. It helps maintain strong bones and female sex organs, such as the vagina. Estrogen deficiency results from decreased postmenopausal estrogen production with aging or from surgical removal of the ovaries, even in younger patients. Estrogen deficiency is one of the most common contributing factors associated with urinary problems in older women.

A common complication of estrogen deficiency is deterioration of the lining of the vaginal wall and vaginal introitus near the opening of the urethra. This results in drying and sometimes redness and irritation. This condition is known as atrophic vaginitis, a condition which contributes to lower urinary tract symptoms, urinating symptoms, bladder infections, urethritis and urinary incontinence. Severe estrogen deficiency may lead to formation of an inflamed urethra which protrudes outward, into the vaginal opening. This is known as a urethral caruncle, a condition which sometimes requires surgical correction.

Treatment is best delivered by the application of a vaginal cream [like Estrace] ...

Treatment is best delivered by the application of a vaginal cream, vaginal tablet, vaginal suppository or vaginal ring insert. Estrogen supplementation by mouth may also be beneficial. However, it must be remembered that estrogen may slightly increase the risk of uterine bleeding and cancer and estrogen must be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of breast cancer and heart disease.

A recent large ... study indicated that patients receiving the drug Prempro (a drug combining estrogen and another female hormone, progestin) were at increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer ...

A recent large federally funded (heretofore unpublished) study indicated that patients receiving the drug Prempro (a drug combining estrogen and another female hormone, progestin) were at increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer relative to patients not taking any hormone supplementation. However, another research study evaluating estrogen alone is presently incomplete. Thus, answers to questions about possible long term risks and benefits of estrogen therapy are uncertain and await further study.