[Use captopril and estradiol-medroxyprogesterone in premenopausal hypertensive patients]

The premenopause period is that which precedes the actual menopause, when a decrease of the ovarian hormones is present, leading to cardiovascular diseases as arterial hypertension, acute myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular diseases.

We evaluated the antihypertensive response of the estradiol-medroxyprogesterone, to reduce arterial pressure in the premenopausal patient.

In a clinical trial from March 1997 to September 1998, 106 patients with systemic hypertension, symptoms hypoestrogenism and estradiol levels less than 30 pg/mL were evaluated. They were randomized at a trial in two groups with pursuit of 6 months. Group A: 53 with captopril, Group B: 53 with estradiol-medroxyprogesterone. The arterial pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides and symptoms hypoestrogenism were analyzed before and after the treatment. The statistical analysis was performed with Student T.

A decrease of arterial pressure was observed with estradiol, the same as with captopril with a p < 0.05. Decrease of cholesterol and triglycerides were more significant in the estradiol group with a p < 0.05. A bigger attenuation of symptoms of the hypoestrogenism existed in the estradiol group.

The antihypertensive response with estradiol was the same as with captopril in the premenopausal patient with systemic hypertension.