Oral 17beta-estradiol (1 mg) continuously combined with dydrogesterone improves the serum lipid profile of postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of 1 mg 17beta-estradiol continuously combined with 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 mg dydrogesterone on the serum lipid profile of postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Serum lipid profile was measured in two 1-year studies performed in healthy, nonhysterectomized, postmenopausal women. One study (n = 182) had an open design and investigated oral 17beta-estradiol 1 mg daily continuously combined with dydrogesterone 2.5 mg daily; the other study (n = 326) had a double-blind, randomized design and investigated oral 17beta-estradiol 1 mg daily continuously combined with dydrogesterone at doses of 5, 10, or 20 mg daily.


RESULTS
With all four dosages of dydrogesterone, serum total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly reduced (-4.6% to -7.6% and -6.3% to -11.6%, respectively), whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly increased (+4.3% to +7.4%). Serum apolipoprotein A1 and B also improved significantly, reflecting the favorable changes in high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, as did lipoprotein(a).


CONCLUSIONS
Oral 17beta-estradiol 1 mg daily continuously combined with dydrogesterone 2.5 to 20 mg daily has beneficial effects on serum lipid profile in postmenopausal women.
Pornel
Bruno
B
Brussels Menopause Center, Brussels, Belgium. bruno.pornel@skynet.be
Chevallier
Olivier
O
Netelenbos
J Coen
JC
D000284:Administration, Oral; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000097:blood; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood*; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008055:Lipids; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D004958:Estradiol; D002784:Cholesterol