The treatment of hypertriglyceridaemia in menopausal women with transdermal oestradiol therapy

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of transdermal oestr adiol on serum triglycerides in menopausal women with pre-existing mild to moderate hypertriglyceridaemia. Forty-four women, who had had a hysterectom y and who had been maintained on 50 mu g unopposed oestradiol for six month s, were divided into two groups: those with normal baseline triglyceride co ncentrations (0.4-2 mmol/L) (n = 34) and those with raised baseline reading s (> 2-4 mmol/L) (n = 10). There was a significant. reduction in the concen trations of serum triglycerides in both groups [-9.6% (P < 0.001) and -17% (P < 0.001), respectively]. Transdermal oestradiol therapy may be a useful treatment option in menopausal women with pre-existing hypertriglyceridaemi a. There is a need to conduct large, prospective, controlled trials using t ransdermal oestradiol to treat hypertriglyceridaemia in menopausal women.