Comparison of Vaginal versus Oral Estradiol Administration in Improving the Visualization of Transformation Zone (TZ) during Colposcopy.

BACKGROUND

Colposcopy is an important diagnostic tool in the evaluation of patients with abnormal pap smears. However, in 10-20% transformation zone (TZ)/squamo-columnar junction is not completely visualized and these patients are deemed to have an incomplete colposcopy examination. Such patients usually require conization, a procedure associated with significant morbidity. Various agents like misoprostol, estrogens and laminaria tents have been used in the past to overcome the non-visualization of TZ.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was conducted with the aim to compare the efficacy of vaginal versus oral estradiol administration in overcoming incomplete colposcopy.

METHODS

Forty patients with non/partially visualized TZ during colposcopy were recruited for the study. These patients were randomly distributed into two groups: In Group I, 25μg estradiol was administered intravaginally daily for seven consecutive days followed by a repeat colposcopy on day 8. In Group II, a seven day course of 25μg oral estradiol was followed by a repeat colposcopy on day 8. The efficacy of the two regimens in improving visualization of the TZ on colposcopy and their adverse effect profile was compared.

RESULTS

Vaginal estradiol had an overall efficacy of 70% in improving visualization of the TZ as compared to oral estradiol which was effective in 50% of patients (p-value-0.19). Major adverse effects in both the group of patients were nausea and vaginal discharge with no significant differences among the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Both vaginal and oral estrogens had comparable efficacy and similar adverse effect profile in improving visualization of the TZ.