QUALITY-OF-LIFE AFTER THE MENOPAUSE - INFLUENCE OF HORMONAL REPLACEMENT THERAPY

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to demonstrate the clinical efficacy and effect of hormone replacement therapy in menopause on quality of life. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized, open, and month comparison of hormone replacement therapy (estradiol transdermal system [Estraderm TTS] plus chlormadinone) and symptomatic treatment (verapipride) was performed. Analysis was by intention to treat. RESULTS: In 499 postmenopausal women with moderate and severe symptoms enrolled by 101 physicians, hormone replacement therapy was superior to symptomatic treatment on all assessments of quality of life and clinical efficacy. The effects were independent of the incidence of hot flushes. CONCLUSION: The effect of hormone replacement therapy on the quality of life of postmenopausal women was significantly superior to symptomatic treatment.