"A new investigational delivery method for localized vaginal estrogen therapy that utilizes an applicator free softgel to alleviate moderatetosevere vaginal pain during intercourse dyspareunia a symptom of vulvar and vaginal atrophy VVA received high rates of patient satisfaction among postmenopausal women according to posttrial survey results published in the journal Menopause.  These survey results show that something as simple as a change to a more elegant delivery system that is easier to use and not messy might empower more postmenopausal women to seek prescription treatment for VVA and perhaps help them stay with the application guidelines for longer said study first author Sheryl Kingsberg PhD Division Chief OBGYN Behavioral Medicine UH Cleveland Medical Center Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Psychiatry Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and first author of the survey analysis. We still have to find better ways to educate the millions of women suffering with VVA about the symptoms however so that more of them know it is common decide to discuss treatment with their healthcare professional and seek symptom relief with appropriate treatment. The new results were part of a multicenter randomized placebocontrolled phase  clinical trial for TXHR an investigational bioidentical estradiol applicator free vaginal softgel capsule. Previous publications have shown TXHR to be safe and effective at alleviating symptoms of VVA. The survey which included  respondents with a  percent response rate sought to quantify participants satisfaction with the application method and overall treatment delivery system. The majority of women taking either TXHR or placebo .  . percent found the product easy to use. VVA is a chronic condition associated with genitourinary syndrome of menopause GSM. VVA affects  to  percent of postmenopausal women and is characterized by pain with sexual activity dryness and discomfort. Current onthemarket treatments for VVA include both overthecounter creams and moisturizers as well as several safe and effective prescription treatments in cream tablet ring or oral form.  Previous survey research completed by Dr. Kingsberg and others has shown that while  million women may be experiencing symptomatic VVA and suffering from related impacts on sexual function interpersonal relationships selfesteem and overall quality of life only  percent are currently using a prescription therapy to alleviate symptoms. Though they may suffer from physical and emotional pain as a result of VVA women may not feel comfortable discussing these symptoms with a healthcare professional may not recognize the symptoms as treatable may not fully understand the treatment options available or if they did receive treatment found the current prescription treatment options inconvenient messy or uncomfortable to use.  Financial disclosure Dr. Kingsberg has served as a consultant for TherapeuticsMD the manufacturer of TXHR as well as Acerus Pharmaceuticals AMAG Pharmaceuticals Bayer Healthcare Emotional Brain Materna Novo Nordisk Nuelle Palatin Technologies Pfizer Sermonix Pharmaceuticals Shionogi Inc. and Valeant Pharmaceuticals. About University Hospitals  Founded in  University Hospitals serves the needs of over  million patients per year through an integrated network of  hospitals more than  outpatient health centers and  physician offices in  counties throughout northern Ohio. The systems flagship academic medical center University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center located on a acre campus in Clevelands University Circle is affiliated with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. The main campus also includes University Hospitals Rainbow Babies  Childrens Hospital ranked among the top childrens hospitals in the nation University Hospitals MacDonald Womens Hospital Ohios only hospital for women and University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center part of the NCIdesignated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. UH is home to some of the most prestigious clinical and research programs in the nation including cancer pediatrics womens health orthopedics radiology neuroscience cardiology and cardiovascular surgery digestive health dermatology transplantation and urology. UH Cleveland Medical Center is perennially among the highest performers in national ranking surveys including Americas Best Hospitals from U.S. News  World Report. UH is also home to Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals  part of The Harrington Project for Discovery  Development. UH is the second largest employer in northern Ohio with  employees. For more information go to UHhospitals.org."