COMPARATIVE STUDY OF HORMONAL AND NON HORMONAL TREATMENTS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS

Abstract

Objective : This study was conducted with the objective of comparing safety and efficacy of hormonal treatment and non hormonal alternatives for the management of menopausal symptoms.Materials and Methods: A total of 40 patients suffering from menopausal symptoms were recruited to the study protocol and were divided into 4 groups according to the treatment they received, with 10 patients in each group. Group A received conjugated estrogen and medroxy progesterone acetate, Group B received Tibolone, Group C received Isoflavone and Group D received Vitamin E. Efficacy of the treatment was evaluated by improvement in symptomatic score and safety of the treatment was assessed on the basis of adverse effects reported and relevant laboratory investigations.Results: Most of the symptoms were significantly improved in groups A and B (p< 0.01) while in groups C and D significant improvement was observed in hot flushes, sweating and insomnia (p<0.05). On comparative analysis there was no significant difference in the efficacy between groups A and B and between groups C and D. On the other hand significant difference was observed in the efficacy when groups A and B were compared with groups C and D (p<0.01). Only mild tolerable side effects were reported by the patients in all the groups with slightly higher incidence in groups A and B.Conclusions : Hormonal treatment is very efficacious for the early relief of menopausal symptoms. Isoflavone and vitamin E can be considered as a satisfactory treatment alternative when for any reasons hormonal treatment cannot be used.KEY WORDS:Â HRT, Tibolone , Isoflavone, Menopausal symptoms