Efficacy and safety of oral estriol for managing postmenopausal symptoms

  • Shimane University ROR
  • Shiga University of Medical Science ROR

Maturitas, 34(2), 169-177

DOI 10.1016/s0378-5122(99)00108-5 PMID 10714912

Abstract

Objective

to assess the therapeutic efficacy and safety of oral estriol for the treatment of climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women.

Methods

68 postmenopausal women with climacteric symptoms received oral estriol, 2 mg/day, daily for 12 months. We evaluated the degree of climacteric complaints with estriol therapy; serum levels of gonadotropins, estradiol (E2) and lipids; biochemical markers of bone metabolism; blood pressure; and side effects both at baseline and during treatment. Climacteric symptoms were assessed according to the menopausal index (MI), a version of the Kupperman index that had been modified for Japanese women.

Results

oral estriol therapy significantly reduced total MI scores. The greatest relief was noted for hot flushes, night sweats, and insomnia. Estriol treatment significantly lowered serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations but did not affect any of the other parameters (lipids, bone, liver and blood pressure) during the study period. Slightly vaginal bleeding occurred in 14.3% of those who underwent natural menopausal women. Histologic evaluation of the endometrium and ultrasound assessment of the breasts following 12 months of estriol treatment found normal results in all women.

Conclusion

Estriol is a safe and effective alternative for relieving climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal Japanese women.

Topics

oral estriol postmenopausal climacteric symptoms treatment, estriol safety efficacy menopause Japanese women, estriol hot flushes night sweats insomnia relief, oral estriol endometrial safety 12 month study, estriol versus estradiol postmenopausal hormone therapy, Kupperman menopausal index estriol treatment evaluation, estriol FSH LH suppression postmenopausal women, weak estrogen therapy climacteric symptoms bone lipids, estriol endometrial hyperplasia safety long-term use, bioidentical estriol menopause symptom management
PMID 10714912 10714912 DOI 10.1016/s0378-5122(99)00108-5 10.1016/s0378-5122(99)00108-5

Cite this article

Takahashi, K., Manabe, A., Okada, M., Kurioka, H., Kanasaki, H., & Miyazaki, K. (2000). Efficacy and safety of oral estriol for managing postmenopausal symptoms. *Maturitas*, *34*(2), 169-177. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-5122(99)00108-5

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