THE EFFECTS OF HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY ON UTERINE FIBROIDS IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Objective: To evaluate and compare the effects of two different modali ties of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the size of uterine fibro ids. Design: Randomized clinical study. Setting: The Menopause Center of a public hospital. Patients: Postmenopausal women with small asympt omatic uterine fibroids were selected. Interventions: One group was tr eated with 50 mu g transdermal E(2) plus 5 mg medroxyprogesterone acet ate (MPA) continuously, whereas the second group was given 0.625 mg co njugated equine estrogen plus 2.5 mg MPA continuously. Main Outcome Me asure: The size of the uterine fibroids was measured before and after the first year of HRT. Results: At the end of the first year on HRT, t he size of the uterine fibroids was re-evaluated sonographically and n o significant difference was found with the oral group, whereas there was a significant increase in the transdermal group. Conclusion: Hormo ne replacement therapy with 50 mu g transdermal E(2) plus 5 mg MPA inc reases the size of the uterine fibroids.