Some clinical effects of oestrogen-progestogen therapy in surgically castrated women

This study reports some of the effects of oestrogen and progestogen therapy. forty-nine women who had undergone hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy took part in a double blind crossover study during which they received ethinyl oestradiol 50 micrograms/day, norgestrel 250 micrograms/day, the combination of these substances "Nordiol" and placebo. Somatic complaints were assessed at monthly interviews and weight and blood pressure recorded. The addition of norgestrel to ethinyl oestradiol therapy resulted in less dryness of skin but significantly increased mastalgia and breast size. There were no significant differences between drugs on amount of facial hair, acne, arthralgia, pruritus vulvae, vaginal discharge, vaginal odour, dyspareunia, weight or blood pressure. There was a significant reduction of diastolic blood pressure with the time duration of the study.