Effects of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy on body fat composition

Aim. To evaluate the effects of different types, regimens and administration routes of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on body fat composition indices in postmenopausal women at increased risk of anthropometry-related cardiovascular disease (CVD).Methods. Fifty-nine postmenopausal women (aged 41–57 years, mean ± standard deviation: 49.9 ± 3.8 years) with body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 participated in this 6-month, prospective, randomized single-blind study. Subjects were assigned into three groups and received transdermal estradiol (E2)/norethisterone acetate (NETA) (50 μg E2 daily for 14 days followed by 50 μg E2/0.25 μg NETA daily for 14 days; transdermal group, n = 19), transdermal continuous E2/oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) (50 μg E2/5 mg MPA daily; transdermal/oral group, n = 19) or oral continuous E2/NETA (1 mg E2/0.5 mg NETA daily; oral group, n = 21). Anthropometric indices (body weight, height, and hip and waist circumferences) were measured, and BMI and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were ...