Evaluation of the effects of raloxifene treatment on uterus in asymptomatic postmenoposal patients by transvaginal Doppler ultrasonography

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the effects of raloxifene treatment on uterus in asymptomatic postmenopausal patients by Doppler transvaginal ultrasonography (TvUS). Methods: Randomized controlled prospective study, 57 healthy postmenopausal asymptomatic patients, aged 45-60, who applied Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient Clinic between 2003-2004. Four patients were excluded from the study because they did not apply the treatment regularly. All of the patients were in natural menopause. They had not received any hormone replacement therapy before. Their body mass index (BMI) was below 30 kg/m2 and had no systemic diseases. The patients were divided into two groups as those who received raloxifene (n: 27) and those who did not (n: 26). Raloxifene was given 60 mg/day for 6 months. In all patients enrolled in the study, endometrial and uterine volume, pulsatility (PI) and resistance indices (RI) were evaluated by TvUS Doppler. Endometrial biopsies (EB) were obtained with pipelle at 0 and 6 months. Results: There was no significant difference in terms of age, height, weight and BMI (p<0.05). Parity, menopause time and endometrial thickness were similar (p<0.05). EB results were similar (p<0.05). Uterine volumes at month 0 and 6 were similar (p<0.05). PI and RI were found to be similar in the right and left arteries at baseline (p<0.05). While PI and RI on the right side were similar at 6 months, left uterine artery PI was found to be significantly higher in the treated group. Left uterine artery RI was similar. Conclusion: Raloxifene treatment neither did stimulate the endometrium, nor increased the uterine volume or uterine blood flow. It did not have any stimulating effect on the uterine tissue.