Transdermal Progesterone: Effects on Menopausal Symptoms and on Thrombotic, Anticoagulant, and Inflammatory Factors in Postmenopausal Women
Author(s): Stephenson Kenna, Neuenschwander Pierre F, Kurdowska Anna K, Pinson Barbara, Price Carol
Issue: Jul/Aug 2008 - Hormone Replacement Therapy
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Page(s): 295-304
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Abstract: Conventional hormone replacement therapy increases a woman’s risk of thrombotic events as evidenced in large prospective clinical trials, including HERS I and the Women’s Health Initiative. A possible mechanism for this is the unfavorable net effects of conjugated equine estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate on factors involved in hemostatic balance and inflammation. The objective of this study was to examine the short-term effects of transdermal progesterone on menopausal symptoms and serum levels of hemostatic, inflammatory, and immune signaling factors. In a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 30 healthy postmenopausal women received either 20 mg/day of transdermal progesterone or placebo for 4 weeks, followed by a 4-week washout period, and were then crossed over to receive either placebo or active drug for an additional 4 weeks. Baseline, 4-week follow-up, and end-of-study values were obtained for the Greene Climacteric Scale, and for serum levels of total fa
Related Keywords: women, menopause, transdermal administration, topical preparations, hormone replacement therapy, HRT, progesterone, Women's Health Initiative, WHI, blood clots, inflammation, cardiovascular disorders, heart disease, thrombosis, hemostatic factors, coagulation
Related Categories: HRT, ADVERSE DRUG EVENTS, ALLERGY/IMMUNOLOGY/INFLAMMATION, DOSAGE FORMS/DRUG CARRIERS, ENDOCRINOLOGY/HORMONES/ MENOPAUSE/ANDROPAUSE, HEMOSTASIS, BLEEDING, ANTICOAGULATION