Low-dose Hormone Therapy in Postmenopausal Women / 대한폐경학회지

The importance of the results of some large, randomized controlled trials on hormone therapy (HT) has changed the perceived risk or benefit of HT. It is now recommended that the dose and regimen of HT should be individualized based on the principle of choosing the lowest appropriate dose in relation to the severity of symptoms and age of menopause. The effectiveness of low and ultra-low dose HT has been demonstrated for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms, genital atrophy and the prevention of bone loss with fewer side-effects than the standard dose HT. Although accumulating evidence demonstrates the efficacy and tolerability of low-dose HT, data about the use are limited by a lack of long-term, randomized studies. Further research is needed to determine the effect on fractures, as well as cardiovascular and breast disease.

Low-dose Hormone Therapy in Postmenopausal Women / 대한폐경학회지

The importance of the results of some large, randomized controlled trials on hormone therapy (HT) has changed the perceived risk or benefit of HT. It is now recommended that the dose and regimen of HT should be individualized based on the principle of choosing the lowest appropriate dose in relation to the severity of symptoms and age of menopause. The effectiveness of low and ultra-low dose HT has been demonstrated for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms, genital atrophy and the prevention of bone loss with fewer side-effects than the standard dose HT. Although accumulating evidence demonstrates the efficacy and tolerability of low-dose HT, data about the use are limited by a lack of long-term, randomized studies. Further research is needed to determine the effect on fractures, as well as cardiovascular and breast disease.

Effect of low dose estrogen menopausal hormone therapy on nitric oxide and antioxidant activity / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of low dose estrogen menopausal hormone therapy on cardiovascular system METHODS: This study categorized 95 postmenopausal women between March 2004 and August 2004. Thirty patients of estrogen therapy group, fifteen patients of estrogen-progestin therapy group, fifteen patients of low-dose estrogen therapy group, and fifteen patients of low-dose estrogen-progestin therapy group were divided. Remaining 20 patients served as control group which did not receive the hormone treatment. The blood pressure, pulse rate, lipid profile, and NO metabolites and antioxidant activity of plasma and urine were measured. RESULTS: Diastolic blood pressure was lower in hormone treatment group than control group's. Although it was not significant, the total cholestrol and LDL-cholestrol in the plasma of treatment group were lower than those of the control group while HDL-cholestrol were higher. Triglyceride in the plasma of treatment group was higher. Changes of blood pressure, pulse rate and lipid profile in low-dose group were similar to those of conventional standard dose. The plasma concentration of NO metabolites in treatment group was higher. Also, the plasma concentration of NO metabolites in low-dose group was similar to that of conventional dose. CONCLUSION: A low-dose hormone therapy was expected to bring about the improvement of endothelial cell dependent vascular reactivity like conventional dose, resulting in the reduction of diastolic blood pressure, the improvement of lipid profile, and an increase in plasma concentration of the NO metabolites. A low-dose hormone therapy may thus presumably provide beneficial effects on cardiovascular system.