An alternative regimen of hormone replacement therapy to improve patient compliance

In order to achieve the long-term benefits from hormone replacement therapy of a markedly reduced incidence of heart disease and osteoporosis, a high degree of compliance is essential. In an effort to obtain high compliance, it was decided to introduce a cyclic therapy of 6 months duration using conjugated oestrogens supported by a 10-day course of progestogens. A total of 85 patients were treated prospectively. Compliance was assessed by the number of patients continuing treatment, and endometrial response was assessed by office biopsy and cytological or histological examination. Five patients withdrew, giving an overall compliance rate of 94%. Two have subsequently resumed therapy, thus 98% of those enrolled are currently receiving hormone replacement therapy. No cases of endometrial carcinoma were detected during the trial period of 4 years. Two cases of mild atypical endometrial hyperplasia were detected but both were mild and reverted to secretory or inactive endometrium following progestogen therapy. This regimen provides a viable alternative for those women who are troubled by progestogenic side-effects and monthly withdrawal bleeding.