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Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine
Transdermal Progesterone
Cream as an Alternative Progestin in Hormone Therapy
Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine
Nov/Dec 2005. Vol 11, No. 6; 36-38.
Helene B. Leonetti, MD; Jennifer Landes,
DO; David Steinberg, MD;
James N. Anasti, MD
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Objective: To evaluate the endometrial effects and determine patients'
acceptance of transdermal progesterone cream compared to standard hormone
therapy.
Methods: Healthy menopausal women were recruited and received a pretreatment
endometrial biopsy (EMB). They were randomized to 0.625 mg conjugated
equine estrogen (CEE) daily and 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)
(Prempro, Wyeth USA) or daily 0.625 mg CEE and twice daily 20 mg transdermal
PC (Pro-gest, Transitions for Health USA). At the end of 6 months, a repeat
EMB was obtained, and the women were crossed over to other treatment.
A final EMB was performed after the final 6 months.
Results: Twenty-six women completed both arms of the study. Seventy-seven
percent of women preferred the CCE/PC to the CEE/MPA (P<.001). Of the
52 post-treatment endometrial biopsies: 40 revealed atrophic endometrium
and 12 proliferative endometrium (7 in the oral progestin group and 5
in the PC group). There was no evidence of endometrial hyperplasia in
any of the specimens. The incidence of vaginal spotting was similar in
both groups.
Conclusion: Patients preferred transdermal PC over oral MPA. This
preliminary data indicate that CEE/PC has a similar effect on the endometrium
as standard oral HT over a 6-month period.
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