Efficacy and safety of oral estriol for managing postmenopausal symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
to assess the therapeutic efficacy and safety of oral estriol for the treatment of climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
68 postmenopausal women with climacteric symptoms received oral estriol, 2 mg/day, daily for 12 months. We evaluated the degree of climacteric complaints with estriol therapy; serum levels of gonadotropins, estradiol (E2) and lipids; biochemical markers of bone metabolism; blood pressure; and side effects both at baseline and during treatment. Climacteric symptoms were assessed according to the menopausal index (MI), a version of the Kupperman index that had been modified for Japanese women.


RESULTS
oral estriol therapy significantly reduced total MI scores. The greatest relief was noted for hot flushes, night sweats, and insomnia. Estriol treatment significantly lowered serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations but did not affect any of the other parameters (lipids, bone, liver and blood pressure) during the study period. Slightly vaginal bleeding occurred in 14.3% of those who underwent natural menopausal women. Histologic evaluation of the endometrium and ultrasound assessment of the breasts following 12 months of estriol treatment found normal results in all women.


CONCLUSIONS
Estriol is a safe and effective alternative for relieving climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal Japanese women.
Takahashi
K
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shimane Medical University, Izumo, Japan. taka27@shimane-med.ac.jp
Manabe
A
A
Okada
M
M
Kurioka
H
H
Kanasaki
H
H
Miyazaki
K
K
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001940:Breast / Q000187:drug effects; D002979:Climacteric / Q000187:drug effects; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D004964:Estriol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D005483:Flushing / Q000517:prevention & control; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D012449:Safety; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D013546:Sweating / Q000187:drug effects; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced
D008055:Lipids; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D004964:Estriol