Prevention of cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women receiving transdermal hormonal replacement therapy

Postmenopausal women have higher risks and incidence of hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to premenopausal. In Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) studies restricted to younger postmenopausal women show that initiation of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) closer to menopause reduced the risk of CVD. The aim of the study was the evaluation of the actual state of knowledge connected with the influence on transdermal hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), in early postmenopausal women, on the concentrations of sex hormones, lipids, coagulation markers and other parameters associated with cardiovascular risk. In women receiving transdermal hormonal replacement therapy, the significant decrease of concentrations of TC, LDL-C, lipoprotein (a), homocysteine, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, and the increase of concentrations of HDL-C, PC-protein, PS-protein and antithrombin III in blood serum were found. This regimen did not increase arterial blood pressure.

Conclusions: 1. In early postmenopausal women receiving transdermal hormonal replacement therapy the levels of estradiol, estrone and progesterone in blood serum assured the optimal concentration of these hormones. − 2. Long-term transdermal hormonal replacement therapy in early postmenopausal women resulted in beneficial effects on the concentration of sex hormones, lipids, coagulation markers and other parameters associated with cardiovascular risk. − 3. Favourable biophysical and biochemical results of the long – term transdermal hormonal replacement therapy, indicate that the presented mode of hormonal treatment is the procedure of choice in the prophylaxis and treatment of early postmenopausal women with the biochemical risk factors of arteriosclerotic vascular diseases.