HORMONAL AND METABOLIC EFFECTS OF TRANSDERMAL ESTRADIOL PROGESTAGEN ADMINISTRATION IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN/

Objective-To evaluate the effects on hormonal and metabolic variables and bane density of a transdermal system delivering estrogen and proge stagen. Design-Twenty-one patients were included in the study and rand omly assigned to the following treatments: group A was treated with tr ansdermal 17 beta-estradiol, 50 mu g/day (Estraderm TTS 50), from the first to the fourteenth day of the cycle and with a transdermal combin ation of 17 beta-estradiol (50 mu g/day) and norethisterone acetate (N ETA) 250 mu g/day during the following 14 days; group B was treated wi th Estraderm TTS 50 from the first to the twenty-eighth day adding ora l medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), 10 mg/day, during the final 14 da ys. DHEAS, testosterone, SHBG, prolactin, gonadotropins, and estrogens were measured in basal conditions and after 6 months' therapy. In the same schedule, Lipid patterns (total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LD L cholesterol, triglycerides), phosphocalcium variables (osteocalcin, calcitonin, parathormone), and bone mineral density were also studied. Results-Both treatments were efficient in reducing menopausal symptom s. An increase of DHEAS (P < .05) and a decrease of FSH and LH (P < .0 2, < .01, respectively) were observed in group B. No significant modif ications in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism were shown in either grou p after 6 months. The calcium-regulating hormone osteocalcin (BCG) dec reased significantly (P < .05) only in group Ai calcitonin, parathormo ne, and bone density were unchanged after treatment. Conclusion-Transd ermal administration of estrogen plus progestagen reduces menopausal s ymptoms, but does not induce changes in metabolic variables and hormon al levels (androgens and prolactin).