The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research
October 1, 2026 · via Europe PMC
Effects of Estriol-Lactobacilli Combination Versus Polycarbophil-Based Vaginal Moisturizer on Post-Radiation Vaginitis in Women With Cervical Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Koohachaiskun N, Atjimakul T, Peeyananjarassri K, Klangsin S, Kanjanapradit K
AI summary — for doctors, generated from the abstract only
In this small trial, an estriol-lactobacilli vaginal tablet improved vaginal tissue health more than a polycarbophil-based moisturizer for post-radiation vaginitis in cervical cancer survivors, though the trial is too small and short to be definitive.
What was studied
Open-label randomized controlled trial of 34 women with post-radiation vaginitis after cervical cancer treatment, comparing an estriol-lactobacilli vaginal tablet (E3/L) versus a polycarbophil-based vaginal moisturizer (PBVM) over 4 weeks, measuring vaginal maturation value and other outcomes.
Key findings
- Median improvement in vaginal maturation value was significantly greater with E3/L than PBVM (19.65 vs 2.08 points, P=.035).
- Vaginal dryness and inflammation improved significantly more with E3/L.
- Vaginal pH, dyspareunia, and vaginal pain changes were similar between groups.
- Female Sexual Function Index change favored E3/L (median +6 vs +2), but absolute scores at week 4 were similar, so clinical significance is uncertain.
Clinical relevance
Offers a potential treatment option (estriol-lactobacilli tablets) that may better restore vaginal epithelial health than standard moisturizers for cervical cancer survivors with radiation-induced vaginitis, pending confirmation.
Who should care
Limitations
Very small sample (34 patients), open-label design (no blinding), short 4-week follow-up; authors themselves describe findings as exploratory requiring larger double-blind trials.
An estriol-lactobacilli vaginal tablet showed better short-term healing than a standard moisturizer for radiation-induced vaginitis, but bigger trials are needed to confirm it.
This is an AI-generated summary of the published abstract, not a clinical recommendation. It may not reflect the full text or subsequent updates — verify against the original source before acting on it.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of an estriol-lactobacilli combination vaginal tablet (E3/L) and polycarbophil-based vaginal moisturizer (PBVM) in women with post-radiation vaginitis following cervical cancer treatment.
METHODS
This open-label, randomized controlled trial recruited 34 women with Stages I-III cervical cancer who had completed pelvic radiotherapy and developed vaginal toxicity symptoms. Participants were randomized 1:1 to E3/L (Gynoflor) or PBVM (Regelle) for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was change in vaginal maturation value (VMV). Secondary outcomes included changes in vaginal pH, vaginal toxicity symptom scores, and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores.
RESULTS
The median improvement in VMV was significantly greater with E3/L than with PBVM (19.65 [IQR: 0-39.5] vs. 2.08 [IQR: 0-20.1] points; p = 0.035; 95% CI: 10.22-32.59). Vaginal dryness and inflammation improved significantly in the E3/L group. Changes in vaginal pH, dyspareunia, and vaginal pain were similar between groups. Although the FSFI change was greater with E3/L (median +6 vs. +2; p = 0.01), absolute FSFI scores at Week 4 were similar, and clinical significance is uncertain. Both treatments were well tolerated.
CONCLUSION
In women with cervical cancer and radiation-induced vaginitis, E3/L showed greater short-term improvements in vaginal epithelial maturation, dryness, and inflammation than PBVM over 4 weeks. These findings are exploratory given the modest sample size, open-label design, and short follow-up; larger double-blind randomized trials with extended follow-up are needed to confirm these results.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Thai Clinical Trials Registry: TCTR2024051001.
DOI
10.1111/jog.70525
PMID
42836699
Research metadata (titles, abstracts, authors, publication dates) is sourced from Europe PMC, which aggregates content from PubMed/MEDLINE, PubMed Central, and other providers under the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM/NCBI). NLM does not claim copyright on abstracts; the original journal publishers or authors may hold rights to the full articles. AI-generated summaries are derived only from the abstract, never the full text, and are always labeled as AI-generated.
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