Effects of estradiol–drospirenone on menopausal symptoms, lipids and bone turnover in Chinese women

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of a hormone replacement preparation containing 1 mg estradiol plus 2 mg drospirenone on menopausal symptoms, blood lipids, and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women.

Methods A prospective, self-controlled trial was conducted in 64 Chinese postmenopausal women aged 45–60 (mean 52.5 ± 3.37) years who were treated with estradiol–drospirenone for at least 6 months. The Kupperman index, blood lipid concentrations, bone mineral density, and bone turnover markers were measured before (baseline) and at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment.

Results In comparison with baseline, the Kupperman index score was significantly improved at 1, 3, and 6 months after estradiol–drospirenone treatment (20.57 ± 6.52 vs. 16.37 ± 5.19, 13.34 ± 4.52, and 12.70 ± 4.42, respectively; all p < 0.01). After 6 months of treatment, concentrations of low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol were significantly decreased, high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were significantly increased (all p < 0.05), and bone mineral densities of the lumbar spine and hip were significantly improved (both p < 0.001 compared with baseline). At both 3 and 6 months after treatment, bone alkaline phosphatase concentrations were significantly decreased compared with baseline (61.14 ± 12.38 IU/l and 58.77 ± 11.35 IU/l, respectively, vs. 65.81 ± 14.75 IU/l; p < 0.05), as were tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase concentrations (5.99 ± 2.98 IU/l and 4.90 ± 2.90 IU/l, respectively, vs. 6.15 ± 3.02 IU/l; p < 0.05).

Conclusion Estradiol–drospirenone effectively alleviates menopausal symptoms and also has beneficial effects on blood lipids and bone metabolism.

Key words::

• ESTRADIOL–DROSPIRENONE
• MENOPAUSE
• HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
• BLOOD LIPIDS
• BONE METABOLISM
• BONE TURNOVER MARKERS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Editorial assistance with the manuscript was provided by Content Ed Net, Shanghai Co. Ltd.

Conflict of interest The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Source of funding No funding was provided for this study.