Serum bile acids and lipids during treatment of climacteric symptoms with natural oestrogen--progestin combinations

Climacteric symptoms of 21 women were treated for 6 mth with sequential combination preparations containing natural oestrogen (oestradiol and oestriol) and norethisterone acetate as progestin. There were no significant changes during the treatment period in the serum alanine aminotransferase activity or concentrations of cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, triglycerides, cholic acid and deoxycholic acid. The concentration of chenodeoxycholic acid was, however, significantly decreased after 6 mth treatment. It thus appears that the above natural oestrogen--progestin combinations do not have adverse effects on hepatic function and lipid metabolism.