Quantitation of menopausal symptomatology and its response to ethinyl oestradiol and piperazine oestrone sulphate

Abstract

SummaryAn attempt has been made to develop a simple quantitative index of menopausal symptoms, based on 18 questions, for use in comparing different forms of oestrogen therapy. Discriminant function analysis of data from 50 pre- and 50 post-menopausal women showed that hot flushes was the most important discriminating symptom, closely followed by symptoms related to the woman's sexuality. Other symptoms, though still significant, had far less discriminant power. The index provided a reasonable guide to the severity of menopausal symptoms but was not related to the patient's oestrogen status, as judged by the urinary sediment smear maturation value.Preliminary results are reported on the use of the index in patients treated with piperazine oestrone sulphate (3 mg daily for 3 out of 4 weeks) or with ethinyl oestradiol (25 μg daily for 3 out of 4 weeks). There was a highly significant decline in symptom scores in both groups of patients in the first 4 weeks and a further progressive decline at 8 and 24 weeks. So far, however, no significant difference has been noted between the two therapies.