Female Urology

Take a look back through some of the top stories from the first half of the year.

Oral sulopenem was approved by the FDA in October 2024 for the management of uUTIs.

The CELLEBRATE trial is aiming to provide additional evidence to support the safety and efficacy of iltamiocel.

"The black box warning affects that ability for them to get access to that critical drug, vaginal estrogen," says Yahir A. Santiago-Lastra, MD.

Among the guideline’s recommendations is the use of local low-dose vaginal estrogen as first-line therapy for GSM.

"I’m hopeful because women in urology are no longer an exception—they’re becoming the norm," says Shaya Taghechian, MD.

“I think the best thing about these guidelines is their actual existence,” says Karyn S. Eilber, MD.

“Oftentimes, [during] the very first visit, we are talking a lot. I am learning what's going on with them," says Anna Myers, CNP.

There is also a need to improve multidisciplinary care, according to Ekene Enemchukwu, MD.

“I think the great thing about Cost Plus Drugs is that, as we mentioned, it's simple, but it's also price transparent," says Raymond Xu, MD.

“Given the rates in epidemiologic studies and surveys showing that up to 70% of women are symptomatic, we were surprised to find that only 9% [filled] a prescription,” says Ekene Enemchukwu, MD, MPH, FACS, URPS.

"What we found is that 9% of women with a GSM-related diagnosis filled a prescription for vaginal estrogen during the study period, and these women tended to be younger," says Ekene Enemchukwu, MD, MPH, FACS, URPS.

“When I talk to physicians outside of urology, as well as within urology, much of the hesitation with using Cost Plus Drugs is that it seems complicated to use, when in reality, the process is actually very simple," says Raymond Xu, MD.

“To find a therapy that's all encompassing, that manages all of this in a long-term fashion, low-dose vaginal estrogen is the preferred treatment,” says Ekene Enemchukwu, MD, MPH, FACS, URPS.

"The biggest message from this study is that 60% can expect resolution of UUI, simply by fixing the prolapse and placing a sling, which is not normally indicated for UUI," according to Christina M. Mezes, DO, and Catherine A. Matthews, MD.

A recap of the FDA submissions and regulatory decisions in urology from March 2025.

The test can deliver diagnostic results for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis.

“What's really cool about overactive bladder is that, it's not like high blood pressure. They do not have to leave this office with a pill in hand," says Anna Myers, CNP.

"I think [gepotidacin] gives a different side effect profile available to the clinicians, and I think for patients as well, it provides a better, more durable option over time," says Ryan Haumschild, PharmD, MS, MBA, CPEL.

The approval is supported by data from the phase 3 EAGLE-2 and EAGLE-3 trials.

"A lot of times…decreased desire is affected by everything else: pain with sex, orgasm, arousal. Because if none of that is good, then desire isn't going to be good either," says Anna Myers, CNP.

"The findings from this study will help us understand sunobinop’s potential as a possible new treatment option for this chronic disorder,” said Craig Landau, MD.

Age, race, and hormonal contraceptive use did not significantly impact the efficacy of sildenafil cream, 3.6%, in female sexual arousal disorder.

"We had 66 respondents, and 48% of those did say that they had functionally limiting pelvic pain...for 14 days out of a given month at least," says Sarah Ponce.

“These findings support the safety of vaginal estrogen for treatment of local menopause symptoms, even in high-risk women,” says Gabriella M. Rustia, MD.

Data showed that vaginal estrogen, vaginal DHEA, oral ospemifene, and vaginal moisturizers may provide benefit in the management of symptoms related to GSM.

The company expects the device to become available for US patients with pelvic organ prolapse in September 2024.

There were no differences in the number of treatment-related TEAEs in patients who received sildenafil cream vs patients who received placebo.

"You have to have a passion for it. If you have a passion for it, it's easy to do," says Shaya Taghechian, MD.

"I think pelvic pain is 1 of the areas that really needs more attention," says Gamal M. Ghoniem, MD, FACS, ABU/FPMRS.