Efficacy and safety of oral estriol for managing postmenopausal symptoms

Objective: to assess the therapeutic efficacy and safety of oral estriol fo r the treatment of climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women. Methods: 6 8 postmenopausal women with climacteric symptoms received oral estriol, 2 m g/day, daily for 12 months. We evaluated the degree of climacteric complain ts with estriol therapy; serum levels of gonadotropins, estradiol (E-2) and lipids; biochemical markers of bone metabolism; blood pressure; and side e ffects both at baseline and during treatment. Climacteric symptoms were ass essed according to the menopausal index (MI), a version of the Kupperman in dex that had been modified for Japanese women. Results: oral estriol therap y significantly reduced total MI scores. The greatest relief was noted for hot hushes, night sweats, and insomnia. Estriol treatment significantly low ered serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations but did not affect any of the other parameters (lipids, bone , liver and blood pressure) during the study period. Slightly vaginal bleed ing occurred in 14.3% of those who underwent natural menopausal women. Hist ologic evaluation of the endometrium and ultrasound assessment of the breas ts following 12 months of estriol treatment found normal results in all wom en. Conclusion: Estriol is a safe and effective alternative for relieving c limacteric symptoms in postmenopausal Japanese women. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sci ence Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.