Some clinical effects of oestrogen-progestogen therapy in surgically castrated women

Abstract

This study reports some of the effects of oestrogen and progestogen therapy. forty-nine women who had undergone hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy took part in a double blind crossover study during which they received ethinyl oestradiol 50 micrograms/day, norgestrel 250 micrograms/day, the combination of these substances "Nordiol" and placebo. Somatic complaints were assessed at monthly interviews and weight and blood pressure recorded. The addition of norgestrel to ethinyl oestradiol therapy resulted in less dryness of skin but significantly increased mastalgia and breast size. There were no significant differences between drugs on amount of facial hair, acne, arthralgia, pruritus vulvae, vaginal discharge, vaginal odour, dyspareunia, weight or blood pressure. There was a significant reduction of diastolic blood pressure with the time duration of the study.

PIP: To determine the effects of an estrogen-progestogen therapy in surgically castrated women, a double-blind crossover study was conducted using as sample 49 women (mean age, 46.2 + or - 8.9 years) who had undergone hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The patients were given ethinyl estradiol 50 ug/day, norgestrel 250 ug/day, combination of ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel (Nordiol) and placebo. Initial and monthly assessment of patients included a semi-structured interview detailing frequency and intensity of certain clinical features, psychological tests, and measurement of weight and blood pressure. The combination pill therapy resulted in increased oiliness of skin. It also significantly increased mastalgia and breast size during the 1st 2 months of therapy. Lack of significant effects on complaints such as pruritus vulvae, vaginal discharge or dyspareunia may be due to short time interval of each drug regimen. Longer periods may be required for atrophic changes to develop. Significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure during study period may be due to initial anxiety. Further research with longer periods of hormone administration should be done.