Novel oral combined 17β-estradiol (E2) and micronized progesterone (P4) therapy improves vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and sleep in postmenopausal women (PW)

Abstract

Introduction: Sleep disruption/chronic insomnia occurs in over 50% of PW, has a negative impact on quality of life (QOL), and is correlated with severity of VMS. While oestrogen improves sleep by direct/indirect mechanisms, P4 taken orally undergoes hepatic first pass effect, producing metabolites with a sedative action and the potential to improve sleep quality.