The effects of oral and transdermal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on serum lipids and lipoproteins in menopausal women

Objectives: In six to twelve months period various oral and transdermal hor mone replacement therapy (HRT) regimens and their effects on serum lipid an d lipoprotein profiles were studied. Design and Methods: Two hundred thirty seven cases consisting of postmenopausal and surgical menopausal patients who referred to our clinic with climacteric symptoms were included in our t rial. Menopausal symptoms of our cases were interrogated, Five different HR T protocols; three oral and two transdermal routes were applied to cases wi th no known contraindications to this therapy, Lipid and lipoprotein levels were measured at the beginning and sixth and twelfth months of the therapy . Results: At the sixth months one hundred eighty six cases and at the end of one year one hundred three cases completed the trial. Upon completing th e trial, all HRT protocols provided a distinctive fall in total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein -cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Oral HRT reg imens provided higher high density lipoprotein -choresterol (HDL-C) levels than the others. In the meantime, oral HRT protocols provided a distinctive rise in the TG levels whereas transdermal HRT protocols lowered TG levels. Conclusions: Various HRT forms have different effects upon serum lipids an d lipoproteins. Considering HRT as a necessity for cardiovascular protectio n in postmenopausal cases, replacement therapy should be planned for a long period of time.