Symptomatic changes in postmenopause with different methods of hormonal therapy

Objective: The diversity of opinions on the adverse effects of medications used to treat postmenopausal symptoms has prompted the use of various routes and mechanisms of action that need to be explored because bioavailability of the medications can vary. In order to select the appropriate route of administration for hormonal therapy (HT), it is necessary to determine baseline therapeutic efficacy. Design: We designed a prospective, randomized study consisting of four groups of postmenopausal wo-men: group 1 received oral conjugated estrogens, group 2 received a synthethic steroid, group 3 received estradiol nasally in spray form, and group 4 used transdermal estradiol in the form of patches. Criteria used to evaluate effectiveness was the Greene scale, which evaluate six components. These criteria were applied to each patient before hormonal intervention and then each month for 6 months. Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating horone (FSH) and estradiol concentration were determined by chemiluminescence. Student’s t-test was used for intra-group comparisons before and after treatment. Results: There was a significant decrease in the vasomotor and sexual component (p < 0.05) with the use of four HT types. For depression, a difference was observed with synthetic steroids and oral estrogens. Upon analyzing the somatic component there was a decrease in symptoms with nasal and transdermal routes. Psychological changes were observed with the use of oral synthethic steroids and transdermal patches. Anxiety component demonstrated differences with nasal spray and oral estrogens, although all HT forms in this component showed a pattern of irregular changes. Conclusions: Changes in the response could be due each route of administration and medication used. Absorption variability may exist, which has repercussions in the control of symptoms and should be taken into consideration when selecting the appropriate route of administration for patients beginning HT.