Serum lipids and lipoproteins in postmenopausal women receiving transdermal oestrogen in combination with a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of a non-oral combination of a transdermal oestradiol patch (50 micrograms daily) and an intrauterine device (IUD) releasing 20 micrograms of levonorgestrel daily on the serum pattern of lipids and lipoproteins with an established oral regimen of a daily dose of 2 mg of estradiol and 1 mg of noretisterone acetate.


METHODS
An open, randomized study comprised of 40 healthy, early postmenopausal women.


RESULTS
During 1 year the concentration of total cholesterol decreased 5.0% in the LNg-IUD group and 10.6% in the oral therapy group; HDL cholesterol decreased 10.9% and 12.8%, respectively, and HDL2 cholesterol decreased 18.1% and 26.9%, respectively. LDL cholesterol values did not change in the LNg-IUD group, whereas a 10.3% decrease was observed in the oral therapy group. Triglyceride values did not change in either group. There were no significant differences in the serum lipoprotein changes between the groups during the treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of a non-oral regimen of hormone replacement therapy has been advocated to minimize the effect of steroids on the liver. Its effects on the serum pattern of lipids and lipoproteins, however, did not differ significantly from those induced by a continuous oral treatment regimen.
Raudaskoski
T H
TH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oulu, Finland.
Tomás
E I
EI
Paakkari
I A
IA
Kauppila
A J
AJ
Laatikainen
T J
TJ
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002979:Climacteric / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007436:Intrauterine Devices, Medicated; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000077563:Norethindrone Acetate; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D004958:Estradiol; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D002784:Cholesterol; D000077563:Norethindrone Acetate; D009640:Norethindrone