Effects of low-dose, continuous combined estradiol and noretisterone acetate on menopausal quality of life in early postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the effects of low dose hormonal replacement therapy (LD-HRT) on quality of life in early postmenopausal women, since the postmenopausal estrogen deprivation in mid age women often brings along a series of changes and symptoms, which may greatly affect quality of life.


METHODS
Fifty normal postmenopausal women were recruited and randomly treated with LD-HRT, 17beta-estradiol (1 mg/day) and norethisterone acetate (0.5 mg/day) (LD-HRT) or calcium supplement (controls). No significant differences in age, age at menopause, the presence of chronic diseases and socio-economic status were present in the two groups. The Women's Health Questionnaire (WHQ), a validated quality-of-life instrument for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, was administered at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks of treatment in both groups.


RESULTS
At baseline no significant differences in WHQ scores were present in the two groups. In the control group the scores in all different areas showed no significant modification either after 6 and 12 weeks of observation. Conversely, the LD-HRT group showed a significant decrease in the scores of vasomotor symptoms, somatic symptoms, anxiety/fear, depressed mood and sleep problem items. No effects on memory/concentration and menstrual symptoms areas were evident.


CONCLUSIONS
Although quality of life is also and may be mainly influenced by socio-economic and cultural factors, LD-HRT definitively can improve not only vasomotor symptoms, but also more general aspects of physical and psychological well-being of symptomatic postmenopausal women.
Gambacciani
Marco
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56100, Pisa, Italy. margamba@tin.it
Ciaponi
Massimo
M
Cappagli
Barbara
B
Monteleone
Patrizia
P
Benussi
Caterina
C
Bevilacqua
Gemma
G
Genazzani
Andrea R
AR
D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000077563:Norethindrone Acetate; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004958:Estradiol; D000077563:Norethindrone Acetate; D009640:Norethindrone