As women age, they are more likely to wake up in the middle of the night to pass urine. Loss of estrogen during menopause transition accelerates this problem, known as nocturia.
A new study evaluated the effectiveness of various hormone therapies in regulating the frequency of nocturia. Survey results are published online today at Menopause, the journal of the North American Menopause Association (NAMS).
Loss of estrogen during menopause has been shown to cause bladder dysfunction, sleep disorders, hot flashes, and changes in kidney water and salt handling, all of which lead to higher diuresis overnight.
To date, little research has been conducted on the effects of hormone therapy on nocturia, even though hormone therapy has been shown to improve the causative factors of postmenopausal nocturia such as sleep disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, and hot flashes.
Vaginal estrogen has already been shown to help regulate various symptoms of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause, especially in terms of improving urinary function. However, little was known about the effects of systemic treatment.
In addition, there is little limited evidence suggesting major benefits from using oral estrogen in combination with oral progesterone, but no one knows about the effects of other hormonal compounds or the new selective estrogen complex. -elective (TSEC) on nocturia.
In this new study that included nearly 250 women, participants were divided into four treatment groups: estrogen and progesterone (E + P); estrogen only in patients with previous hysterectomies; TSEC; and untreated. The study concluded that systemic treatment with E + P or TSEC resulted in a significant reduction in the frequency of nocturia and a significant improvement in bothersome symptoms in women with two or more nocturnal vaginas. Estrogen use only resulted in a significant reduction in the frequency of urges.
Researchers believe that further research should be conducted to better understand the underlying pathophysiologic stimuli.
Results are published in the article “Hormone therapy as a positive solution for postmenopausal women with nocturia: pilot test results.”
This pilot study shows a significant reduction in the frequency and anxiety associated with nocturia in postmenopausal women using hormone therapy. Although further study is needed, this finding appears to be largely related to improvements in sleep quality. “
Dr. Stephanie Faubion, Medical Director, North American Menopause Association
Source:
North American Menopause Association (NAMS)