Prospective evaluation of body weight and body fat distribution in early postmenopausal women with and without hormonal replacement therapy

Abstract Aims : In order to assess the effects of menopause and hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) on body weight and body fat distribution (determined by dual energy X-ray), early postmenopausal women were given either oral calcium (500 mg/day, control group, n =13) or HRT, a combination of estradiol valerate (EV, 2 mg/day for 21 days) with cyproterone acetate (CPA, 1 mg/day in the last 10 days of the treatment cycle, n =18; Climen®, Schering). Results : There were no differences in basal body weight and body fat distribution in the two groups before the study. In control group, a significant ( P P P P P 2 , P P Conclusion : Present results demonstrate that menopause is associated with an accelerated increase in body weight and body fat, with a prevalent central, android fat distribution, that can be counteracted at least in part by oral HRT.