The effect of percutaneous estradiol and natural progesterone on postmenopausal bone loss

doi:10.1016/0002-9378(87)90203-1

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Volume 156, Issue 1, January 1987, Pages 61-65

https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9378(87)90203-1 Get rights and content

Abstract

The effect of percutaneous estradiol alone and combined with natural progesterone on postmenopausal bone loss was studied. A total of 57 women who had experienced a natural menopause 6 months to 3 years previously entered the study. After an initial examination the women were allocated in a blinded pattern to treatment with 3 mg of percutaneous estradiol or placebo. The code was broken after 1 year of treatment, and the women receiving estradiol continued with a cyclic addition of progesterone, whereas those receiving placebo continued with placebo. The women were examined every 3 months during the 2 years of treatment. Measurement of the bone mineral content in the forearms (single photon absorptiometry) and the spine and total skeleton (dual photon absorptiometry) showed a significant decrease of 5% to 7% in the placebo group during the 2 years of treatment, whereas it remained constant in all bone compartments in the estradiol group. Addition of progesterone did not influence the results. Biochemical estimates of calcium metabolism changed toward a premenopausal level in the estradiol group but remained unchanged in the placebo group. We conclude that percutaneous estradiol is effective as preventive therapy of postmenopausal bone loss and that addition of progesterone does not influence bone or calcium metabolism.

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The effect of percutaneous estradiol and natural progesterone on postmenopausal bone loss

Abstract

Lancet

Am J Obstet Gynecol

Age and activity effects on rate of bone mineral loss

J Clin Invest

Prevention of early postmenopausal bone loss: controlled 2-year study in 315 normal females

Eur J Clin Invest

Biological effects of various doses of conjugated equine estrogens in postmenopausal women

J Clin Endocrinol Metab

Peripheral vasomotor control and menopausal flushing—a preliminary report

Br J Obstet Gynaecol

Reduced incidence of endometrial cancer among postmenopausal women treated with progestogens

J Am Geriatr Soc

Oral progesterone and estrogen/progestogen therapy. Effects of natural and synthetic hormones on subfractions of HDL cholesterol and liver proteins

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand

Comparison of single and dual photon absorptiometry in postmenopausal bone mineral loss

J Nucl Med