Comparative effects of estrogens plus androgens and tibolone on bone, lipid pattern and sexuality in postmenopausal women

Abstract

Background: The main goals of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) are the prevention of osteoporosis and cardioprotection and the improvement of quality of life (QL). Androgens and tibolone therapy may increase bone mineral density (BMD) to a greater extent than ERT and offer an increase in QL. Lipid and cardiovascular effects, however, are still a major concern.

Aim: To evaluate whether the addition of a weak androgen to ERT may improve postmenopausal bone loss and sexual activity without adverse effects on lipid pattern and to compare these effects with those observed after tibolone therapy.

Subjects and methods: This prospective study enrolled 120 surgical postmenopausal women; of these, 96 completed the 1-year follow-up. Patients were allocated to one of four groups. The first group (A; n = 23) received 4 mg of estradiol valerate plus 200 mg of enanthate of dihydroandrosterone im monthly. The second group (E; n = 26) received 50 microg/day of transdermal 17-b-estradiol continuously; the third (T; n = 23) received 2.5 mg of tibolone every day; and finally, the fourth group (C; n = 24) constituted a treatment-free control group. Bone mass (dual X-ray absorptiometry), serum total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, apolipoproteins A1 and B and sexual activity were evaluated before starting therapy and at the end of follow-up.

Results: All active treatment groups showed an increase in BMD. This increase was higher in the A treatment group (4.08% P < 0.01). Sexuality improved significantly with therapy; however, tibolone and androgens increased scores to a greater extent than ERT. Androgen therapy was associated with significant increases in total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides. Cholesterol and LDL fall into groups E and T, HDL into groups A and T and triglycerides in group T only.

Conclusion: The combined regimen of androgens and ERT increased vertebral bone mass and enhance sexual activity in postmenopausal women equal to that of tibolone and to a greater extent than ERT alone; its effects on lipids, however, are clearly adverse.