Safety and efficacy of hormonal therapy in menopausal kidney-allograft recipients

A higher risk of premature menopause and osteoporosis has been observed in female kidney-allograft recipients, providing particular indications for hormonal therapy. We have summarized our 10-year-experience with hormonal therapy in menopausal kidney transplant recipients.

From 1995 to 2004, hormonal therapy was administered to 54 kidney transplant recipients. At onset of therapy the ages of the women ranged from 31 to 52 years, and the period from transplantation from 3 months to 13 years. The mean time on therapy was 4.2 years. All patients received transdermal estradiol (E(2)) in combination with oral progestin.

Total regression of climacteric symptoms was reported in 75% of patients. After 3 months of the therapy follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and E(2) levels normalized: FSH from 129 +/- 30.1 IU/L to 38.3 +/- 26.1 IU/L and E(2) from 18.5 +/- 5.8 pg/mL to 98.6 +/- 33.2 pg/mL. No significant change was noted in serum creatinine. Eleven patients developed abnormal uterine bleeding but none had premalignant or malignant lesions of the uterus on endometrial curettage. No incidence of breast cancer was noted during mean treatment period of 5.2 years. Seventeen patients discontinued therapy for medical indications: one for profound thrombophlebitis and 16 for significant deterioration of liver function. Twelve women made their own decision to discontinue therapy.

Hormonal replacement therapy was effective with no negative impact either on graft function or sex organs among kidney transplant recipients. Liver parameter monitoring seemed to be essential for safe continuation of treatment.