Endometrial effect of transdermal estradiol and progestin ST-1435 in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To study the endometrial effect of the transdermal synthetic progestin ST-1435.


METHODS
Prospective.


METHODS
City Maternity Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.


METHODS
Eleven postmenopausal women used transdermal estradiol (E2) patches for 6 weeks immediately before a vaginal operation for prolapse. For the last 10 days, 1 mg of ST-1435 transdermally in a gel was combined to the treatment.


METHODS
Blood samples were taken to follow serum concentrations of E2, follicle-stimulating hormone, and ST-1435. Endometrial samples for histologic examination were collected during the operation to evaluate the effect of the progestin.


RESULTS
Transdermal absorption of ST-1435 resulted in reasonably constant serum concentrations of ST-1435 in each subject. A progestin effect on the endometrium was seen in 9 of 10 samples obtained. One sample did not show any progestin effect in spite of adequate ST-1435 levels, but this patient's E2 concentrations were low.


CONCLUSIONS
When the estrogen stimulation was adequate, the transdermal ST-1435 induced a progestin effect on the endometrium, i.e., it had an end-organ effect.
Suhonen
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, City Maternity Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Haukkamaa
M
M
Lähteenmäki
P
P
Holmström
T
T
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000368:Aged; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009653:Norprogesterones / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration
D009653:Norprogesterones; D004958:Estradiol; C029167:ST 1435; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone