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Incontinence - urinary, in women - Management
What adverse effects of intravaginal oestrogens should I be aware of?
- Intravaginal oestrogens may cause local irritation or itching at the beginning of treatment. In general, these symptoms are transient.
- The British National Formulary advises that the endometrial safety of long-term or repeated use of topical vaginal oestrogens is uncertain.
- Consequently, treatment should be interrupted as least annually to re-assess the need for continued treatment. If breakthrough bleeding or spotting appears at any time on therapy, the reason should be investigated and may include endometrial biopsy to exclude endometrial malignancy.
[BNF 57, 2009]
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