Comparative Study Between Different Postmenopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy Regimens

Abstract

"Postmenopause" is the phase of climacteric stage that follows the final cessation of menstruation. This period of "change of life" is characterized by a group of complaints known collectively as "climacteric syndrome", which is mainly an "estrogen deficiency syndrome". Hot flushes, mood changes, insomnia, vaginal dryness, and dyspareunia are the most encountered symptoms, while cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis are the profound long-term medical problems associated with the metabolic and degenerative changes of climacteric.

Exogenous estrogens in different forms hold an important place in the prevention and treatment of estrogen deficiency syndrome, but it may induce endometrial hyperplasis and neoplasia. It is now generally accepted that progestins should always be given if estrogen therapy is to be continued for longer than 2-3 months in a woman with an intact uterus.

Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be given by different regimens; which may be different in the type of hormone used (estrogen alone or combined estrogen/ progestin), the rhythm of use (continuous or cyclic), or the route of administration (injectable, oral, transdermal, vaginal, or subcutaneous).

This comparative study between different postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) regimens was designed to