title: Premature ovarian failure, endothelial dysfunction and estrogen-progestogen replacement.
abstract: Cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease, is the leading cause of death among women. Vascular endothelial dysfunction is an early marker of atherosclerosis. Women with premature ovarian failure (or premature menopause) present an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, which might be attributed to the early onset of vascular endothelial dysfunction, associated with sex steroid deficiency. Cyclical estrogen and progestogen therapy has been shown to restore endothelial function in these young women. Further research is required to assess primarily the long-term effects of hormone replacement therapy on cardiovascular and overall prognosis in young women with premature ovarian failure, as well as the effects of different doses, duration and routes of hormone administration in these women.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Michaeleidion Cardiac Center, University of Ioannina Medical School, 45110 Ioannina, Greece. sophia_kalantaridou@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Sophia N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Kalantaridou
authors.forename: Katerina K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Naka
authors.forename: Aris
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bechlioulis
authors.forename: Antonis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Makrigiannakis
authors.forename: Lampros
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Michalis
authors.forename: George P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Chrousos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017698:Postmenopause; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011372:Progestins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D011372:Progestins