Low dose 25 mg oestradiol implants and 1 mg norethisterone as continuous combined hormone therapy: a prospective study.
The anxiety regarding no-bleed regimens is that breakthrough bleeding and endometrial hyperplasia may occur. We aimed to demonstrate that 25 mg oestradiol implants can be adequately opposed by a low dose of progestogen protecting against osteoporosis. Twenty-two patients were recruited to the study. The mean age was 62 years and body mass index of 26.5. Median oestradiol rose from 77 pmol/L at baseline to 275 pmol/L at one year. Median endometrial thickness remained unchanged at 4 mm and only two women withdrew with bleeding problems. There was one case of proliferative endometrium at one year--all others samples were either atrophic or secretory. Lumbar bone density (L2-L4) rose significantly from 0.939 to 0.992 g/cm2 (6%, P = 0.005) and the total femoral density rose from 0.872 to 0.890 g/cm2 (+2.1%). Bone formation markers increased significantly (serum type 1 procollagen C terminal peptide, P1CP = 112-114, P = 0.0376) and bone resorption fell (serum type 1 collagen C terminal telopeptide, 1CTP = 3.0-2.9, P = 0.2863). E25 implants and low dose progestogen appear to avoid endometrial hyperplasia and bleeding problems while increasing bone density.
Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK.
N
N
Panay
D
D
Zamblera
R
R
Sands
J
J
Jones
J
J
Alaghband-Zadeh
J W W
JW
Studd
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects; D004343:Drug Implants; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008875:Middle Aged; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D004343:Drug Implants; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D004958:Estradiol; D009640:Norethindrone