@article{3049121,
    title = "Transdermal estrogen with a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device
for climacteric complaints versus estradiol-releasing vaginal ring with
a vaginal progesterone suppository: Clinical and endometrial responses",
    author = "Antoniou, G and Kalogirou, D and Karakitsos, P and Antoniou, D and and Kalogirou, O",
    journal = "Maturitas",
    year = "1997",
    volume = "26",
    number = "2",
    pages = "103-111",
    publisher = "Elsevier Ireland Ltd",
    issn = "0378-5122",
    doi = "10.1016/S0378-5122(96)01087-0",
    keywords = "hormone replacement therapy; transdermal estradiol;
levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device; vaginal ring; transvaginal
sonography",
    abstract = "Objective: Our purpose was to compare the effects of a new
estradiol-releasing vaginal ring with progesterone given as a vaginal
suppository, versus the efficacy, safety and acceptability of an
intrauterine device releasing levonorgestrel combined with estradiol,
delivered transdermally from a patch. Climacteric symptoms, bleeding
pattern and endometrial histologic features were studied. Methods: Fifty
six parous, postmenopausal women with urogenital symptoms were allocated
in two groups for one year: 28 women receiving estradiol by a vaginal
ring and a 100 mg vaginal progesterone suppository 7 days every month
and 28 women receiving a continuous transdermal daily dose of 50 mu g of
estradiol with a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device inserted.
All the patients were subjected to vaginosonographic examination
followed by thorough pathological examination of the uterine curetting
samples. Results: A mean endometrial thickness (double layer) of 2.9 and
3.0 mm, respectively, was found to be predictive of normal endometrium.
Both treatment regimens effectively relieved climacteric symptoms.
Endometrial proliferation was not observed. Spotting was more common in
the intrauterine device group than in the vaginal ring group.
Conclusions: Treatment of urogenital symptoms in postmenopausal women
with these two forms of hormone replacement therapy is shown to be an
effective and safe method, exhibiting advantages over other methods of
treatment. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd."
}