[Comparison of two different types of hormone therapy effects on haemostatic parameters in early postmenopausal...

Most postmenopausal women have some of menopausal symptoms due to oestrogen deprivation. Many therapeutic options are available for managing menopausal problems. However, hormone therapy is associated with a heightened risk for thromboembolic events.

To investigate the effects of different types of hormone therapy on some haemostatic parameters.

This randomized, controlled study included 56 healthy, early postmenopausal women aged 46-58 years on different types of hormone therapy (tibolone 2.5 mg/day, 25 women, or CCHT 2 mg estradiol plus 1 mg norethisteron acetate, 31 women) and 20 healthy postmenopausal women of the same age receiving placebo. Effects of these 2 medicaments on some haemostasis parameters were measured 3 and 6 months after the onset of treatment.

Short-term use (3 months) of both tibolone and CCHT had a detrimental effect on antithrombin, protein C and protein S levels (decreased), and even more so in the group treated with CCHT. Plasminogen-activator inhibitor type 1 levels were decreased by both tibolone and CCHT, but more so by CCHT; thrombin-antithrombin complex were increased in both groups. There were no changes in haemostatic parameters between 3-month and 6-month treatment in any group.

Both therapeutic options are associated with an activation of thrombogenic and fibrinolytic markers within 3 months of use. Tibolone appears to produce a better balance between thrombogenesis and fibrinolysis. Since our results show a lower incidence of thrombotic events, further studies are required.