Effects of various oestrogens on circulating androgens and cortisol during replacement therapy in post-menopausal...

The influence of various oestrogens during unopposed replacement therapy on circulating androgens and cortisol was studied in 65 post-menopausal women. As dose dependent decrease in dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHAS) was found. Ethinyloestradiol (0.05 mg daily) already gave a significant decrease after 1 mth of treatment. The decline following 17 beta-oestradiol (2 mg) and oestrone sulphate (2.5 mg) was less pronounced. Oestriol (6 mg daily) had no effect. Ethinyloestradiol also increased the levels of total cortisol and testosterone, probable because of serum protein induction, while 17 beta-oestradiol had no significant effect. Serum levels of androstenedione remained unchanged during therapy.