Long term effects of Tibolone on postmenopausal women with uterine myomas

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the long term effec ts of Tibolone (Livial) on uterine myomas volume as well as on uterine arte ries pulsatility index (PI) in postmenopausal women. Methods: This study in cluded 66 naturally menopausal women. Twenty of them (group A) had no uteri ne myomas; 23 of them (group B) had a single, asymptomatic, intramural or s ubserous myoma of a maximum diameter less or equal than 2 cm; 23 of them (g roup C) had a single, asymptomatic, intramural or subserous myoma of a maxi mum diameter between 2 and 5 cm. The volume of the myomas as well as the pu lsatility index of the uterine arteries was assessed by transvaginal ultras onography every 6 months after administration of Tibolone (2.5 mg daily). R esults: No statistically significant difference on myomas volume was found after a 3-year period of Tibolone administration. The uterine artery basal PI was significantly higher in group A compared to that of groups B and C. After 6 months of Tibolone administration the PI in group A was significant ly lower compared to the basal one whereas in groups B and C was significan tly higher compared to the basal value. Conclusions: Our results suggest th at treating postmenopausal woman with Tibolone on a long-term basis (a) doe s not increase the volume of uterine myomas and (b) has an early effect on uterine haemodynamics (decrease of PI in women without myomas and increase of PI in women with myomas). (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rig hts reserved.