Estrogen therapy in older patients with recurrent urinary tract infections: a review

Int J Fertil Womens Med. 2004 Mar-Apr;49(2):71-4.

Abstract

Although urogenital complaints, such as recurrent lower urinary tract infections (UTI), and dysuria, are commonly encountered in elderly women, few women have participated in randomized studies of estrogen therapy for this condition. This is a paradox in view of the often cited beneficial effect of estrogen in reducing the incidence of UTI. Present evidence documents that in postmenopausal women, hormone replacement therapy using topical estrogen normalizes the vaginal flora and greatly reduces the risk of vaginal atrophy. Similarly, vaginal estrogen administration seems to be effective for preventing recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI).

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intravaginal
  • Aged
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Estrogen Replacement Therapy*
  • Estrogens / administration & dosage
  • Estrogens / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Postmenopause
  • Risk Factors
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Urinary Tract Infections / drug therapy*
  • Urinary Tract Infections / prevention & control
  • Urogenital System / drug effects
  • Vagina / microbiology
  • Women's Health

Substances

  • Estrogens