Effects of continuous-combined oral drospirenone- estradiol on blood pressure, body weight & lipid profile in early menopausal women

Abstract

Background & objectives : Drospirenone (DRSP) is a progestin with antimineralocorticoid and anti-androgenic activity. When administered in combination with estradiol (E2), it relieves menopausal symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of DRSP/E2 on the reduction of cardiovascular risk factors in menopausal women with hypertension. Methods : A retrospective study was conducted at the Clinical Center of Serbia. The participants were 64 menopausal women [mean age=49.19±4.62 yr, mean body mass index (BMI)=25.08±2.94 kg/m 2 , mean amenorrhoeic period=2.48±2.46 yr]. The effects of DRSP 2 mg/E2 1 mg on 24 h blood pressure (BP) variability, heart rate (HR), anthropometric characteristics and hormone and lipid levels were evaluated in early menopausal women with previously untreated stage 1 hypertension. All analyses were carried out before and after six and 12 months of therapy. Results : DRSP/E2 significantly reduced daytime BP values during six and 12 months of therapy. The reductions in systolic and diastolic BPs ranged from about −4.50 to −8.50 and from −4.00 to −5.00 mmHg, respectively. There were no significant changes in nocturnal 24 h BPs. DRSP/E2 significantly reduced HR daytime and night-time during the follow up period. DRSP/E2 significantly lowered the BMI, concentrations of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein concentration increased. Interpretation & conclusions : Continuous long-term therapy with DRSP 2 mg/E2 1 mg significantly lowered 24 h systolic and diastolic BPs and reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease in early menopausal women with stage 1 hypertension. Timely initiated menopausal hormone therapy can have beneficial effects on BP and can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease in menopausal women.

Effects of Nutrition Education with Intervention Mapping on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Women with Borderline Dyslipidemia: Analysis According to Menopausal Status

“… 5 After menopause, the expression of E2 decreases rapidly, which causes not only sleep disorders, depression, 6 osteopenia, and osteoporosis 7 but also cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and obesity. 8 That series of adverse changes correlates closely with post-menopausal syndrome. The negative changes can be caused directly by ovarian failure or indirectly by the metabolic consequences of central fat redistribution that occurs with estrogen deficiency.…”

“…5 After menopause, the expression of E2 decreases rapidly, which causes not only sleep disorders, depression, 6 osteopenia, and osteoporosis 7 but also cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and obesity. 8 That series of adverse changes correlates closely with post-menopausal syndrome.…”