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.
