Hormonal replacement therapy and urinary problems as evaluated by ultrasound and color Doppler

• Published in: Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology Vol. 13; no. 6; pp. 420 - 424
• Main Authors: Battaglia, C., Salvatori, M., Giulini, S., Primavera, M. R., Gallinelli, A., Volpe, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.06.1999; Wiley
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; bladder; Doppler; Estrogen Replacement Therapy; Female; hormone replacement therapy; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical sciences; menopause; Middle Aged; Postmenopause; Regional Blood Flow; Ultrasonic investigative techniques; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; ultrasound; Urinary Bladder - diagnostic imaging; Urinary Bladder - physiopathology; Urinary system; Urination Disorders - diagnostic imaging; Urination Disorders - drug therapy; Urination Disorders - physiopathology; Sonography; Doppler ultrasound study; Human; Replacement therapy; Urinary system disease; Wall; Menopause; Urinary tract disease; Color image; Vascularization; Thickness; Chemotherapy; Echography; Female; Bladder disease; Cystitis
• ISSN: 0960-7692; 1469-0705
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1469-0705.1999.13060420.x

Objective To determine how hormone replacement therapy modifies bladder vascularization and urinary symptoms. Study design Twenty‐eight postmenopausal women with urinary symptoms (day‐time frequency > 8; nocturia > 1; urgency and/or dysuria) were analyzed before and after 1, 3 and 6 months of hormone replacement therapy. The patients underwent transvaginal ultrasound evaluation of the pelvic organs and endometrial and bladder wall thickness. Transvaginal color Doppler analysis of blood flow impedance of the uterine and intramural bladder wall arteries was performed in all cases. Results Hormone replacement therapy significantly increased bladder wall and endometrial thickness. This result was associated with significant improvements in uterine and bladder wall vascularization. Urinary symptoms also improved during therapy. Conclusion The study of bladder wall thickness and vascularization provides additional information regarding the beneficial effect of hormone replacement therapy on lower urinary tract symptoms in postmenopausal women. Copyright © 1999 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology