title: Tibolone and risk of endometrial polyps: a prospective, comparative study with hormone therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the incidence of endometrial polyps during postmenopausal replacement therapy with tibolone, using an appropriate control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 485 postmenopausal women were included in this open, prospective, comparative study for a duration of 36 months. Of this group, 249 women received 2.5 mg/day of tibolone and 244 women served as controls, receiving continuous-combined estrogen-progestogen therapy (HT). Transvaginal ultrasound, hysteroscopy, and directed biopsies were performed before treatment was initiated and at the end of the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred twenty-one of the women receiving tibolone and 203 receiving continuous-combined HT completed the study. Endometrial polyps were detected in 74 women (33.4%) from the tibolone group and in 22 women (10.8%) from the HT group (P < 0.01). The vaginal bleeding rate did not differ between the groups. The frequency of atrophic polyps was significantly higher in the tibolone group (P < 0.01). No difference was found in the size of the polyps.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tibolone increases by threefold the risk for endometrial polyps.
authors: Santa Cristina University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. tperezm@meditex.es
authors: Tirso
authors: T
authors: Perez-Medina
authors: José
authors: J
authors: Bajo-Arenas
authors: Javier
authors: J
authors: Haya
authors: Luis
authors: L
authors: Sanfrutos
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Iniesta
authors: Beatriz
authors: B
authors: Bueno
authors: Camil
authors: C
authors: Castelo-Branco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004714:Endometrial Hyperplasia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011127:Polyps / Q000139:chemically induced*; D017698:Postmenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D009652:Norpregnenes; C027385:tibolone