Effects of early initiated oestrogen replacement therapy on plasma homocysteine levels in women in surgically induced menopause.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate and to compare the effects on serum homocysteine levels of early initiated oral and transdermal oestrogen replacement therapies (ERTs) given to women without a uterus who had undergone surgically induced menopause. Homocysteine levels are considered one of the predictors of cardiovascular disease risk.


METHODS
This study included 45 women with surgical menopause. Of 45 women, 15 received oral ERT, (oestradiol hemihydrate 2 mg/day, Estrofem®), 15 received transdermal ERT (oestradiol hemihydrate 0.1% gel 1.5 mg/day, Estreva®) and 15 received no hormone therapy. Blood samples were collected from all women to measure homocysteine levels at the mean time of 15 weeks after surgical menopause. Obtained results of the groups were compared.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and time elapsing since menopause between the three groups. The duration of ERT was not significantly different between the therapy groups. There was no significant difference in homocysteine levels between the groups (p>0.05). No significant correlation was found between weight, BMI and homocysteine levels (p>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Considering that homocysteine is a predictor of risk for cardiovascular disease, the results of this study showed that early initiation of ERT in healthy surgically induced menopausal women neither protects nor deteriorates cardiovascular disease.
Yüksel
Hasan
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey. drhyuksel@gmail.com
Cobanoğlu
Mınegül
M
Odabaşi
Ali Riza
AR
Sezer
Selda Demircan
SD
Küçük
Mert
M
Serter
Mukadder
M
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008594:Menopause, Premature / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010052:Ovariectomy; D013997:Time Factors
D006710:Homocysteine; D004958:Estradiol