Ether derivatives of a progestin and estrogen in monthly dosage

Abstract

The monthly ingestion of quingestanol acetate (2.5 mg) and quinestrol (2 mg) for 1 year by menopausal women was associated with increased numbers of superficial cells in Daginal smears and decreases in intermediate and parabasal cells. High serum FSH and LH levels were promptly returned to normal and remained normal. Serum triglyceride and T4 levels and plasma 11(OH) corticosteroids were consistently increased. Serum inorganic phosphorus and calcium levels decreased during the first month of treatment and remained decreased throughout the year. The calcium and phosphorus changes could reflect a protein‐anabolic effect with deposition of these ions in bone salts, but alternative explanations can be suggested. Serum solutes other than those already cited, serum enzymes, hematologic findings, electrocardiographic tracings, urinary steroids and creatinine, glucose tolerance and the associated serum insulin and growth hormone patterns, and a number of other routine laboratory procedures were not consistently affected by therapy with these dosages of quinestrol and quingestanol acetate. After 1 year of treatment urinary steroids and their responses to oral metyrapone were unchanged. Possible side etfects occurred in 3 of 18 patients: malaise, generalized pruritus, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.