Abstract

 

Objective: To compare tibolone therapy with intranasal estrogen replacement therapy protocols on their effects on serum lipid profiles.

Material Method: 84 post-menopausal women were included in the study. They were given either oral daily treatment with tibolone (2.5 mg) (Group I; n= 35); or intranasal administration of estrogen (Group II; n = 49 ). The duration of the treatment was 6 months. At the beginning and at the end of the therapy, lipid levels were measured in each of the group and then these two different groups were compared. Student-t test was used for statistical analysis. 

Results: No statistical difference was observed at baseline levels between two groups. Total cholosterol levels were increased significantly from baseline levels in both groups. However, at the end of the 6 months no statistical difference was found between two groups. LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were not changed from the baseline levels in both of the groups. In intranasal estrogen group, while HDL-C levels were decreased, it has increased in tibolone group. While triglycerides (TAG) levels were significantly decreased in intranasal 17β-E2 group, no significant change has been found in tibolone group. Lp(a) levels were not changed with therapy in both group.

Conclusion: Short-term treatment with tibolone showed a good clinical-laboratory safety profile in postmenopausal women. Also it may be a good alternative to other HRT protocols in postmenopausal women.

Key Words: Tibolone, İntranasal estrogen, Lipids