This study involved a single-blinded randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effect of two topical oestrogen regimens on the quality of post-menopausal Pap smears.
After menopause the decline in oestrogen can result in both difficulty in the interpretation of a Pap smear and discomfort during the procedure. Women are sometimes prescribed low-dose vaginal oestrogen prior to a Pap smear to minimise these problems.
The study objective was to compare the quality of smears and the level of comfort experienced for two different regimens of vaginal oestrogen with a control group who receive no oestrogen prior to the Pap smear.
Post-menopausal subjects were recruited during routine Pap smear visits at two Family Planning NSW centres over a one-year period. The cytology unit at Symbion reviewed the smears and assessed their adequacy.