Hormone Therapy Reduces frequency of night urination in Postmenopausal Women: Study

Vaginal estrogen has already been shown to help manage the various symptoms of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause, especially with regard to improving urinary function. However, little was known about the effect of systemic treatment. In addition, there is some limited evidence suggesting significant benefits of using oral estrogen in combination with oral progesterone, but nothing is known about the effects of other hormone combinations or the newer tissue-selective estrogen complex (TSEC) on nocturia.

In this new study involving nearly 250 women, participants were divided into four treatment groups: estrogen and progesterone (E+P); estrogen only in patients with prior hysterectomies; TSEC; and no treatment. The study concluded that systemic treatment with either E+P or TSEC led to a significant reduction in nocturia prevalence and significant improvement of bothersome symptoms in women with two or more nocturnal voids. The use of estrogen only resulted in a significant reduction in urgency prevalence.

Researchers believe that additional research should be conducted to better understand the underlying pathophysiologic triggers.

Results are published in the article "Hormone therapy as a positive solution for postmenopausal women with nocturia: results of a pilot trial."

"This pilot study shows a significant reduction in the prevalence and bother associated with nocturia in postmenopausal women using systemic hormone therapy. Although additional study is needed, this finding appears to be primarily related to improvements in sleep quality," says Dr. Stephanie Faubion, NAMS medical director.

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