Recent study found that a proprietary sodium hyaluronate was an effective adjuvant in treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy

Photo © iStockphoto.com/Jacob Wackerhausen

A recent study¹ found that a sodium hyaluronate supplement called ExceptionalHYAL Blossom from Roelmi Hpc may be an effective adjuvant to treatment of menopausal women suffering of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA). In the study, 30 women between 45 and 65 undergoing radiofrequency and radioporation treatments were randomized to receive the 200 mg per day of sodium hyaluronate or not during their treatments for eight weeks. A common genitourinary syndrome of menopause, VVA is associated with a decrease in the levels of estrogen in the vaginal tissue that results in symptoms such as dryness, irritation, soreness, decreased lubrication, dyspareunia, dysuria, and urinary symptoms of urgency that can lead to an increased risk of recurrent urinary infections. The condition is chronic and progressive, impacting the quality of life of women.

The primary outcome of the study was vaginal function wellbeing measured by the Vaginal Health Index (VHI), with the secondary endpoint being improvement of the vaginal atrophy symptoms by a 11-points visual analogue scale. Results showed significant intergroup differences between subjects with those taking the sodium hyaluronate seeing greater improvements in VHI scores after two months of follow-up. So both groups saw meaningful improvements in VHI scores, but those taking the adjuvant maintained these improvements. This was the case too with VAS scores. Both groups experienced relevant improvements but the intergroup differences were only significant after two months follow-up.

According to the researchers, “The positive outcomes obtained in the present study may be attributed to the direct interaction of orally taken SH with the target tissues in which it is required; additionally, this specific sodium hyaluronate can stimulate the endogenous production of hyaluronic acid in vaginal cells restoring the vaginal turgor and giving a relief from atrophy symptomatology.”

While the results are promising, the study does have shortcomings that need to be addressed, admit the researchers. “Further studies are needed to definitively demonstrate oral sodium hyaluronate supplementation as one of the main strategies to improve vaginal atrophy as well as, by using different full spectrum hyaluronans, to verify whether specific SH molecules could have a precise and specific target,” wrote the researchers.

Reference

Elena, B.; Vincenzo, N.; Francesco, T.; Franco, V. A Sodium Hyaluronate-Based Oral Formulation as Adjuvant for Radiofrequency with Radioporation Treatment in Women with Vulvovaginal Atrophy: a Preliminary Study. J Nurs Women’s Health, 2023, 8: 194. DOI: 10.29011/2577-1450.100094