[Studies on estrogen replacement therapy with conjugated estrogens by histological evaluation of the endometrium of 205 women].
205 postmenopausal women, who received 0.625mg of conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) daily for 2-12 years, were evaluated by endometrial histopathology in three treatment schedules. Group I received CEE for 3 weeks followed by a pause for 1 week in each course. Group II took norethindrone, 10mg daily for 1 week, between CEE and the one week pause. Group III received CEE on calendar days 1 to 21 and norethindrone, 10mg daily, together from day 15 to day 21, and no drug from day 22 every month. The endometrial biopsy was done before and 3 months after the start of the treatment, and every twelve months thereafter. In Group I (73 cases, 4,327 courses), 2 cystic hyperplasias and 8 adenomatous hyperplasias, and in Group II (70 cases, 3,936 courses), 2 cystic hyperplasias, 14 adenomatous hyperplasias, and 2 atypical hyperplasias were developed. In contrast, in Group III (62 cases, 2,765 courses), only 2 adenomatous hyperplasias appeared. Accordingly the incidence of endometrial hyperplasia was 1 for 433, 219, and 1,383 courses respectively. These hyperplasias rapidly disappeared after the cessation of estrogen administration. No endometrial carcinomas were detected throughout the treatment. From these results the treatment schedule for Group III was judged to be superior to the others.
Aoki
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Department of Gynecology, Aichi Prefectural Center of Health Care, Nagoya.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology*; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged
D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)