Oestrogens, gonadotrophins and SHBG during oral and cutaneous administration of oestradiol-17β to menopausal women

Abstract

Post-menopausal women (38) were randomly allocated to 6 mo. of treatment with either 2-4 mg of micronized estradiol-17.beta. taken orally or 3 mg of estradiol-17.beta. applied cutaneously. The plasma concentrations of estrone, estradiol, LH [luteinizing hormone], FSH and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were determined twice before and after 2, 4 and 6 mo. of treatment. In both groups the clinical effects were satisfactory. During treatment the mean estradiol levels showed similar increases in the 2 groups while the estrone concentration was markedly raised only among those taking estradiol orally. The mean LH and FSH concentrations were significantly lowered in both groups. SHBG was increased with both treatments although more marked in the group on oral medication. Doubling of the oral dose from 2 to 4 mg gave significant changes of the LH, FSH and estrone concentrations. In the given doses, the 2 routes of administration seemed to have similar effect on post-menopausal symptoms and on the plasma concentrations of gonadotropins and estradiol. The plasma estrone and SHBG levels became significantly higher during the oral than the cutaneous treatment.