Effects of norethisterone acetate addition to estradiol in long term HRT.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) among postmenopausal women living in the Lund area of Southern Sweden and to analyze treatment effects in different types or routes of HRT administration, as well as to compare with unopposed estrogen therapy. METHOD: in an ongoing, large population-based, prospective cohort study, this interim analysis included 3900 women. Of them, 693 postmenopausal women were eligible in the present analyses as they continued to use one of the four commercial HRT products for at least 2-3 years, i.e. continuous oral estradiol (E(2)) 2 mg+norethisterone acetate (NETA) 1 mg (CON-O), sequential oral estradiol 2 mg + norethisterone acetate 1 mg (CYC-O), sequential transdermal estradiol 50 microg + norethisterone acetate 250 microg (CYC-TRANS) and estradiol monotherapy. These women completed one generic questionnaire and one specific 'hormonal' questionnaire, as well as a personal interview pertaining to socio-demographics, detailed status of HRT use, and therapeutic efficacy and untoward side-effects by HRT. RESULTS: comparing the three combined E(2)+NETA groups with E(2) monotherapy, the beneficial effects on sexual desire and emotional well-being were significantly less in the combined groups than in E(2) monotherapy group. There was no significant difference regarding the negative side-effects between the groups. No significant difference was found between CON-O and CYC-O groups either in positive effects or in negative side-effects. A higher prevalence of positive effects was found in CYC-TRANS group than that in CYC-O group, especially in amelioration of sleep and urinary symptoms. Higher odd ratios of negative effects by HRT, such as irregular bleeds, weight gain, food craving and skin disorders were also found in CYC-TRANS group. CONCLUSION: in long-term HRT administration, the addition of a progestogen in HRT could compromise the beneficial effects of estradiol, particularly, the effects on women's emotional well being and psychosexual functioning. Administration of NETA continuously and sequentially had similar therapeutic efficacy and tolerability. More marked positive effects, such as improving of sleep and urinary symptoms, as well as nuisance side-effects, i.e. irregular bleeds, weight gain, food craving and skin disorders were encountered by the women using sequential transdermal regimen

Important factors for use of hormone replacement therapy: a population-based study of Swedish women. The Women's Health in Lund Area (WHILA) Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to delineate the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) among women who were born between December 2, 1935, and December 1, 1945, and living in the Lund area of southern Sweden and to analyze factors that contribute to the acceptance and continuation of HRT. METHODS: All women received a generic questionnaire pertaining to demographic background, lifestyle, health behavior, and climacteric symptoms and underwent a personal interview. An interim analysis was carried out on 3,900 women. We mailed a hormone questionnaire to the women who were using HRT (n = 1,875). This hormone questionnaire covered, for example, menopausal status, complaints, and alterations in and efficacy of HRT use, as well as the reasons for discontinuing HRT use. RESULTS: A total of 1,415 (76%) women answered the hormone questionnaire. Forty-eight percent were HRT ever users, and 32% were current users. Mean duration of HRT use was 47 months. The most common incentives for HRT use were alleviation of menopausal symptoms (72%) and prevention of bone loss (50%) and/or cardiovascular disease (31%). Forty-seven percent of HRT users reported that they had changed regimens at least once. HRT users had higher education, full-time work, and a higher consumption of alcohol but less consumption of cigarettes. They reported higher frequencies of climacteric symptoms, past histories of premenstrual syndrome, use of oral contraceptives, and hysterectomy. They also had a higher consumption of healthcare resources. A total of 177 women withdrew from therapy. The most common reasons for discontinuation of HRT were weight gain, anxiety of cancer, bleeding, breast tenderness, and emotional problems. Compared with current users, past users had less positive as well as fewer negative effects of HRT. Several variables contributed to compliance, including education, full-time work, regular exercise, low frequency of persistent climacteric symptoms, and alteration of regimens. CONCLUSION: Education, working conditions, lifestyle, interest in prevention, and severity of the climacteric symptoms are determinants for both acceptance of and compliance with HRT.