Effects of a short-term suspension of hormone replacement therapy on mammographic density

Objective: To evaluate the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and of a short-term suspension of HRT on mammographic density. Design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: Outpatient menopausal clinic of the Second University of Naples. Patient(s): Ninety-seven healthy postmenopausal women. Intervention(s): Thirty-nine menopausal women with intact uterus (group A) were treated with continuous transdermal E-2 plus acetate nomegestrolo sequ entially added, 37 women in surgical menopause (group B) were treated with transdermal E-2 continuously administered, and 21 menopausal women did not receive any medication (group C). At the entry and after 12 months, a mammo graphy was performed without suspension of HRT (group A1: 19 women; group B 1: 19 women) or after a short-term suspension (group A2: 20 women; group B2 : 18 women). Main Outcome Measure(s): Mammographic density evaluated according to a quan titative method. Result(s): At the second mammography, seven patients in group A1, four pati ents in group B1, and one patient in both groups A2 and B2 showed an increa se in mammographic density, whereas no mammographic density increase was ob served in patients in group C. A statistically significant difference in th e mammographic density increase was found between group A1 and group A2; no difference was found between group B1 and B2. Conclusion(s): Suspension of HRT for about 3 weeks may reverse mammographic density increase associated with its use. (Fertil Steril(R) 2001;76:451-5. (C) 2001 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).