The effects of oestrogen on vaginal wound healing: A systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#animals #estrogens #female #humans #vagina

The effects of oestrogen on vaginal wound healing: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Vodegel et al., 2022 | Neurourol Urodyn | Meta Analysis

Citation

Vodegel Eva V, Kastelein Arnoud W, ... Guler Zeliha. The effects of oestrogen on vaginal wound healing: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurourol Urodyn. 2022-Jan;41(1):115-126. doi:10.1002/nau.24819

Abstract

AIMS: To determine the effects of oestrogen or oestrogen deprivation on vaginal wound healing. Impaired wound healing following prolapse surgery may increase the risk of recurrent prolapse in the future. Vaginal oestrogen therapy may improve wound healing, hereby possibly improving surgical outcomes. METHODS: A systematic search of OVID MEDLINE, OVID Embase, and Web of Science was conducted up to January 28, 2020. We included original studies comparing wound healing-related outcomes of oestrogen exposed subjects (female animals and women) to hypo-oestrogenic subjects after vaginal surgery. Data on wound healing-related outcome measures were extracted. For each individual comparison, the standardised mean difference (Hedges' g; SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 1474 studies reviewed, 14 studies were included for review, and 11 provided data for meta-analysis. Oestrogen improves neovascularisation (SMD: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.67-1.60), microscopic wound closure (SMD: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.66-1.29), collagen synthesis (SMD: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.42-1.74), and tissue strength (SMD: 1.26, 95% CI: 0.53-1.99) in animals. Oestrogen increases granulation (SMD: 1.67, 95% CI: 0.54-2.79) and accelerates macroscopic wound closure (SMD: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.22-2.42) in women and animals. Oestrogen decreases the inflammatory response (SMD: -0.58, 95% CI: -1.14 to -0.02) in women and animals and reduces levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 (SMD: -1.68, 95% CI: -2.52 to -0.83) in animals. All results were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Oestrogen therapy has a positive effect on vaginal wound healing. Future studies should determine whether oestrogen therapy has the potential to improve surgical outcomes.

Key Findings

Of the 1474 studies reviewed, 14 studies were included for review, and 11 provided data for meta-analysis. Oestrogen improves neovascularisation (SMD: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.67-1.60), microscopic wound closure (SMD: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.66-1.29), collagen synthesis (SMD: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.42-1.74), and tissue strength (SMD: 1.26, 95% CI: 0.53-1.99) in animals. Oestrogen increases granulation (SMD: 1.67, 95% CI: 0.54-2.79) and accelerates macroscopic wound closure (SMD: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.22-2.42) in women and an

Outcomes Measured

  • inflammatory markers

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 1474
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Estrogens
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Vagina
  • Wound Healing

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: collagen

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09