Coagulation factors in opposed and unopposed oestrogen treatment at the climacteric

Laboratory tests of blood coagulation and platelet activity were undertaken in fifty-two climacteric patients who received cyclical oestrogen regimens for six consecutive months, following which they were given cyclical sequential oestrogen/progestogen regimens for periods ranging from fifteen months to twenty-seven months. The cyclical sequential regimen employed was determined by the dosage of oestrogen prescribed during the initial six-month period: norethisterone (2.5 mg or 5.0 mg) on days sixteen to twenty-one of cyclical treatment with oestrone piperazine sulphate or conjugated equine oestrogens, and DL-norgestrel (0.5 mg daily) from day twelve to day twenty-one of cyclical oestradiol valerate treatment. The results suggest that the addition of a progestogen to the cyclical oestrogen treatment does not modify blood coagulation factors or platelet aggregation.