Continuous treatment with natural oestrogens and progestogens. A method to avoid endometrial stimulation

Maturitas. 1981 Aug;3(2):145-56. doi: 10.1016/0378-5122(81)90006-2.

Abstract

Treatment of menopausal symptoms with a combination of natural oestrogens (17beta-oestradiol and oestriol) and a gestagen (norethisterone acetate), given continuously without interruption, has been found to have a good effect on menopausal symptoms, at the same time as the endometrium is maintained or brought to an atrophic state. This method seems to be a new approach to oestrogenic therapy, and in spite of the inconvenience of rather frequent--though as a rule very slight--bleeding during the first months of treatment, it should be of value. After 3-4 mth of treatment bleeding practically never occurs and the endometrium almost invariably becomes completely atrophic. It would seem that this might imply a lowered risk of development of endometrial cancer. A series of 265 patients treated in accordance with this principle for up to more and than 4 yr is presented.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biopsy
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Drug Combinations
  • Endometrium / drug effects*
  • Endometrium / pathology
  • Estradiol / administration & dosage*
  • Estradiol / therapeutic use
  • Estriol / administration & dosage*
  • Estriol / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Menopause / drug effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Norethindrone / administration & dosage
  • Norethindrone / analogs & derivatives*
  • Norethindrone / therapeutic use
  • Norethindrone Acetate
  • Random Allocation

Substances

  • Drug Combinations
  • Estradiol
  • Norethindrone Acetate
  • Estriol
  • Norethindrone