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Vaginal Estrogen for Improvement of Outcomes Following Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery

A Multi-center, Randomized, Open-label, Parallel-group, Feasibility-controlled Trial of Vaginal Estrogen for Improvement of Outcomes Following Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07030426
Acronym
VEPO
Enrollment
180
Registered
2025-06-22
Start date
2026-01-01
Completion date
2029-09-30
Last updated
2026-08-20

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)

Keywords

pelvic organ prolapse, vaginal estrogen, pelvic organ prolapse surgery, pelvic organ prolapse repair

Brief summary

This open-label randomized control trial will study the use of vaginal estrogen in the first six weeks after pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair surgery. This is a pilot trial that will examine the feasibility of the study, focussing on recruitment rates. Participants will be randomized to one of three groups; (1) no vaginal estrogen for 6 weeks, (2) vaginal estrogen twice weekly for 6 weeks, or (3) vaginal estrogen daily for 6 weeks. Participants will be seen at 6 weeks post surgery, 6 months post surgery, 1 year and 2 years post surgery. Additional outcomes will include patient satisfaction, Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) symptoms, post-operative complications, adherence and safety.

Detailed description

Multi-center, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, feasibility-controlled trial The intervention is the use of vaginal estrogen for 6 weeks after pelvic organ prolapse surgery. Participants will be randomized into 3 groups: 1. No vaginal estrogen 2. Vaginal estrogen 2 times per week 3. Vaginal estrogen daily Participants may be enrolled after diagnosis of pelvic organ prolapse and decision to proceed with surgery. Participants will be seen for a randomization visit within 6 weeks of their scheduled surgery. The intervention lasts from the day of surgery until 6 weeks after surgery. Participants will be seen for a post-operative follow-up visit at 6 weeks, and study follow-up visits at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years. Sample Size: N=60 in each group, for a total of N=180 participants. For this pilot trial, we will recruit approximately 15% of the sample size required for the full-scale trial. Data from this pilot trial will be used to adjust the event rate in the sample size calculation for the full trial, if needed. Our sample size accounts for a non-compliance rate of 5% and a loss to follow-up rate of 5%. After enrollment, participants will complete a baseline questionnaire that collects information on demographics and health history. This may be completed online via an email link sent through REDCap, in person on a hard copy questionnaire, or the questions can be administered verbally by study staff. After enrollment, a study investigator or delegate will complete a case report for that collects additional information on the participant's pregnancy and pelvic health history. At each study visit, a study investigator or delegate will complete a case report form that captures any changes in the participant's health history since the previous visit. At all post-surgical visits, a study investigator or delegate will collect information in these same case report forms on complications and treatment failure. The questions in these case report forms will be administered verbally, with verification through chart review as appropriate or as needed. At each study visit a Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) on GSM symptoms assessment will be completed by a study investigator or medical learner under direct supervision of a study investigator. As well, height, weight and blood pressure will be measured. If any of these are collected/done for clinical reasons at the same visit, the clinically collected data will be used for study purposes. The measurements and assessments will not be repeated for study purposes. At each study visit the Prolapse Quality of Life Questionnaire (P-QOL) and incontinence questionnaires including the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF), the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire Short Form (IIQ-7), and the Urogenital Distress Inventory Short Form (UDI-6) will be administered. These may be completed online via an email link sent through REDCap, in person on a hard copy questionnaire, or the questions can be administered verbally by study staff. At the 6 week and 6 month post-surgical visit the Surgical Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ-8) will be administered. These may be completed online via an email link sent through REDCap, in person on a hard copy questionnaire, or the questions can be administered verbally by study staff. At the 6 week post-surgical visit adherence to the study intervention will be assessed through collection of study product diaries and by querying participants on vaginal estrogen usage in the intervention period.

Interventions

DRUGVaginal Estrogen - Twice Weekly

Twice weekly for six weeks following pelvic organ prolapse repair surgery. 0.5 grams of cream per vagina at bedtime .

DRUGVaginal Estrogen - Daily

Daily for six weeks following pelvic organ prolapse repair surgery. 0.5 grams of cream per vagina at bedtime.

Sponsors

Sarah Wozney
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

Participants must meet all the following inclusion criteria to be eligible for enrollment into the study: 1. Participant who, in the opinion of the investigator, can and will comply with the requirements of the protocol. 2. The participant has given written consent after the study has been explained according to local regulatory requirements and before any study specific procedures. 3. Age ≥18 years at the time of consent. 4. Undergoing an apical suspension (vaginal or abdominal, mesh or native tissue) for pelvic organ prolapse at one of the participating centers. 5. Primary or recurrent prolapse surgery without a history of mesh surgery. 6. Willing to complete surveys related to demographics, pelvic health and function, and sexual health and function. 7. Plans to reside in the study area for at least 2 years after their surgery.

Exclusion criteria

Any individual meeting any of the following criteria is not eligible for participation in this study: 1. Participant undergoing anterior and/or posterior repair only (no apical prolapse repair). 2. Participant undergoing obliterative procedures. 3. Participant with a history of mesh surgery for prolapse. 4. Participant undergoing uterine sparing surgery. 5. Participant with a contraindication to vaginal estrogen use, including but not limited to the following list, at the discretion of the study investigator: * Patients who are hypersensitive to the drug or to any ingredient in the formulation or component of the container. * Liver dysfunction or disease as long as liver function tests have failed to return to normal. * Known or suspected estrogen-dependent malignant neoplasia (e.g. endometrial cancer). * Endometrial hyperplasia. * Known, suspected, or past history of breast cancer. * Undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding. * Known or suspected pregnancy * Active or past history of arterial thromboembolic disease (e.g. stroke, myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease). * Partial or complete loss of vision due to ophthalmic vascular disease. * Known thrombophilic disorders (e.g., protein C, protein S OR antithrombin deficiency); prothrombin mutation or anticardiolipin antibodies). 6. Any conditions that, in the Investigator's judgement, may interfere with participant's ability to comply with study procedures or receipt of care, such as behavioral or cognitive impairment or neuropsychiatric illness. 7. Concurrently participating in another clinical study, at any time during the study period, in which the participant has been or will be exposed to an investigational or a non-investigational vaccine/product.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Recruitment Rate12 monthsFor the primary feasibility outcome, the trial will be considered feasible if at least 75% of the target sample can be recruited in 12 months.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Loss to Follow Up Rate - 6 months6 Months post surgeryLoss to follow up rates at each of the study end points measured as n/N (%).
Loss to Follow Up Rate - 1 year1 year post surgeryLoss to follow up rates at each of the study end points measured as n/N (%).
Loss to Follow Up Rate - 2 years2 years post surgeryLoss to follow up rates at each of the study end points measured as n/N (%).
Patient Satisfaction - 6 weeks6 weeks post surgeryPatient satisfaction will be assessed using the Surgical Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ-8). This questionnaire measures satisfaction with the surgical procedure on a scale from 8 (most satisfied) to 40 (least satisfied).
Patient Satisfaction - 6 months6 months post surgeryPatient satisfaction will be assessed using the Surgical Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ-8). This questionnaire measures satisfaction with the surgical procedure on a scale from 8 (most satisfied) to 40 (least satisfied).
GSM Symptoms - 6 weeks6 weeks post surgeryGSM symptoms will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) on GSM symptoms. It assesses 5 symptoms (dryness, itching, burning, dyspareunia, and dysuria) on a scale from 0 - 10, from no symptoms to severe symptoms.
GSM Symptoms - 6 months6 weeks post surgeryGSM symptoms will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) on GSM symptoms. It assesses 5 symptoms (dryness, itching, burning, dyspareunia, and dysuria) on a scale from 0 - 10, from no symptoms to severe symptoms.
GSM Symptoms - 1 year1 year post surgeryGSM symptoms will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) on GSM symptoms. It assesses 5 symptoms (dryness, itching, burning, dyspareunia, and dysuria) on a scale from 0 - 10, from no symptoms to severe symptoms.
GSM Symptoms - 2 years2 years post surgeryGSM symptoms will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) on GSM symptoms. It assesses 5 symptoms (dryness, itching, burning, dyspareunia, and dysuria) on a scale from 0 - 10, from no symptoms to severe symptoms.
Prolapse Quality of Life - 6 weeks6 weeks post surgeryThe impact of pelvic organ prolapse on the participant's quality of life will be assessed using the Prolapse Quality of Life Questionnaire (P-QOL). The P-QOL questionnaire is a self-reported tool that contains 20 questions representing nine quality of life domains: general health, prolapse impact, role limitations, physical limitations, social limitations, personal relationships, emotions, sleep/energy and severity measures. Scores in each domain range from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate a greater impairment of quality of life, and lower scores indicate a good quality of life.
Prolapse Quality of Life - 6 months6 months post surgeryThe impact of pelvic organ prolapse on the participant's quality of life will be assessed using the Prolapse Quality of Life Questionnaire (P-QOL). The P-QOL questionnaire is a self-reported tool that contains 20 questions representing nine quality of life domains: general health, prolapse impact, role limitations, physical limitations, social limitations, personal relationships, emotions, sleep/energy and severity measures. Scores in each domain range from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate a greater impairment of quality of life, and lower scores indicate a good quality of life.
Prolapse Quality of Life - 1 year1 year post surgeryThe impact of pelvic organ prolapse on the participant's quality of life will be assessed using the Prolapse Quality of Life Questionnaire (P-QOL). The P-QOL questionnaire is a self-reported tool that contains 20 questions representing nine quality of life domains: general health, prolapse impact, role limitations, physical limitations, social limitations, personal relationships, emotions, sleep/energy and severity measures. Scores in each domain range from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate a greater impairment of quality of life, and lower scores indicate a good quality of life.
Prolapse Quality of Life - 2 years2 years post surgeryThe impact of pelvic organ prolapse on the participant's quality of life will be assessed using the Prolapse Quality of Life Questionnaire (P-QOL). The P-QOL questionnaire is a self-reported tool that contains 20 questions representing nine quality of life domains: general health, prolapse impact, role limitations, physical limitations, social limitations, personal relationships, emotions, sleep/energy and severity measures. Scores in each domain range from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate a greater impairment of quality of life, and lower scores indicate a good quality of life.
Complications - 6 weeks6 weeks post surgeryA composite measure of the incidence of mesh erosion, urinary tract and/or surgical site infections and treatment failure.
Complications - 6 months6 months post surgeryA composite measure of the incidence of mesh erosion, urinary tract and/or surgical site infections and treatment failure.
Treatment Failure - 1 year1 year post surgeryA composite measure of the incidence of mesh erosion and treatment failure.
Treatment Failure - 2 years2 years post surgeryA composite measure of the incidence of mesh erosion and treatment failure.

Countries

Canada

Contacts

CONTACTJessca Pudwell, MPH, MSc
jessica.pudwell@queensu.ca613-549-6666
CONTACTKira King
kira.king@kingstonhsc.ca613-549-6666
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORSarah Wozney, MD, MScHQ

Queen's University

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Aug 21, 2026