THE CLINICAL PLATFORM FOR THE 17-BETA-ESTRADIOL VAGINAL RELEASING RING

All women, regardless of race, culture, or socioeconomic background, e xperience urogenital atrophy as a result of hypoestrogenism from the m enopause. As women go through the aging cycle, their vaginal and ureth ral epithelium become progressively deprived of estrogen and the tissu e loses epithelial thickness, rugation, moisture, vasculature, and ela sticity. The pH increases to above 5, infections in the urinary tract and vagina become more prevalent and cytologic study reflects loss of estrogen by a decrease in superficial cells and an increase in basal a nd parabasal cells. Replacement of estrogen to reverse these changes i s the standard of care, with recent attention focused on the local del ivery of estrogen by the vaginal route. The first vaginal ring deliver y system of estrogen to the urogenital tract recently has been introdu ced, with the data confirming efficacy and safety of this delivery met hod for the treatment of urogenital atrophy. In addition, data on the 17 beta-estradiol-releasing ring also support excellent patient accept ance of this local vaginal delivery system of estrogen therapy.