Effect of Estrogen Replacement Therapy on blood Lipid Levels in Postmenopausal Women

Background: Menopause is the period of changing hormone status that unfavourable cardiovascular risk factors increase. Our aim was to examine the impact of ERT (estrogen replacement therapy), three specific procedures of oral conjugated estrogen, micronized estradiol and transdermally administered estrogen on serum lipids in postmenopausal Turkish women. Methods: Our study included 120 volunteer patients between the ages of 44 and 60. Lipid values were examined before and 6 months after ERT treatment. Patients selected in a random manner into three way: 40 were taken transdermally 17β-estradiol 0.05 mg/day (Climara weekly), 40 were taken conjugated estrogen 0.625 mg/dl (Premarin )and 40 were taken micronized estradiol 2 mg/dl (Estrofem). Results: Total cholesterol decreased in the CEE, E2 groups (−1,8%, −5.5% respectively), while transdermal group have a 0,9% total cholesterol increase. In general, a decrease in total cholesterol values was observed after 6 months of use of all three drugs. The level of mean HDL cholesterol was found high in both E2 and transdermal group (5,5% ,8,5% respectively). A slight increase in HDL cholesterol level was observed in all three groups. Conclusion: Every menauposal therapy had a various effect on lipoprotein and lipid levels. It has been observed that ERT had more effective on lowering of cholesterol in women who are hypercholesterolemic.ERT therapy should be choosen due to patients lipid profile, women needs and indications.