Endometrial response to a cyclic regimen of percutaneous 17β-estradiol and low-dose vaginal micronized progesterone in women with mild-to-moderate hypertension

Endometrial response to natural estradiol and low-dose vaginal progesterone replacement therapy was evaluated in 20 postmenopausal women with chronic ,mild-to-moderate hypertension. A cyclic hormone replacement therapy (HRT) regimen was used (21/28 days) with percutaneous estradiol (1.5 mg/day) and vaginal micronized progesterone (100 mg/day). Menopausal symptoms decreased and estradiol concentrations increased substantially and remained in the physiological range throughout treatment. Serum gonadotropin concentrations decreased significantly (p < 0.001 ,Friedman's ANOVA). Bone mineral density increased by 2.1% (p = 0.029) only at the lumbar spine. Endometrial thickness remained unchanged. Breakthrough bleeding or spotting occurred in 18% of cycles in the first 3 months of HRT ,30% in months 4-9 and 22% in months 10-12. Withdrawal bleeding occurred in 40% of cycles in the first 3 months and decreased to 25% in months 10-12. At month 12 ,there were 11 women with amenorrhea due to endometrial atrophy. Nine ...