The clinical platform for the 17beta-estradiol vaginal releasing ring.

All women, regardless of race, culture, or socioeconomic background, experience urogenital atrophy as a result of hypoestrogenism from the menopause. As women go through the aging cycle, their vaginal and urethral epithelium become progressively deprived of estrogen and the tissue loses epithelial thickness, rugation, moisture, vasculature, and elasticity. 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 and parabasal cells. Replacement of estrogen to reverse these changes is the standard of care, with recent attention focused on the local delivery of estrogen by the vaginal route. The first vaginal ring delivery system of estrogen to the urogenital tract recently has been introduced, with the data confirming efficacy and safety of this delivery method for the treatment of urogenital atrophy. In addition, data on the 17beta-estradiol-releasing ring also support excellent patient acceptance of this local vaginal delivery system of estrogen therapy.