title: Serum levels of oestrogens, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone and sex-hormone-binding globulin during simultaneous vaginal administration of 17 beta-oestradiol and progesterone in the pre- and post-menopause.
abstract: Serum concentrations of 17 beta-oestradiol (E2), unconjugated oestrone (E1), total oestrone (tE1), progesterone (P), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured before and after daily intravaginal administration of 250 micrograms micronized E2 and 10 mg micronized P for 14 days to 12 post-menopausal and for 1 day only (during cycle days 5-8) to 11 pre-menopausal women. In the post-menopausal women the levels of all steroids increased to maximum values on day 1, 8-10 h after administration and fell thereafter. In the pre-menopausal women the steroid concentrations rose slowly to a plateau level 10-15 h after administration. Significantly higher absorption of E2 and E1 (area under the curve increments) was noted in the post-menopausal than in the pre-menopausal women. In the post-menopausal women the steroid levels measured on days 7 and 14 corresponded to those observed in the very early or late luteal phase. Area under the curve increments were usually smaller on days 7 and 14 than on day 1 and the absorption kinetics altered to a 'pre-menopausal' pattern. FSH levels were significantly reduced as from 12 h after administration on day 1 and onwards. A slight (10%) but significant increase in SHBG levels was noted on day 14. It was concluded that the combined E2 and P treatment used in this investigation brings about a physiological response with only minimal side effects on the liver as judged from changes in SHBG concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Carlström
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pschera
authors.forename: N O
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Lunell
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000368:Aged; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D004967:Estrogens; D006728:Hormones; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone