Mammographic changes during postmenopausal hormonal replacement therapy with tibolone

Purpose of investigation: To evaluate mammographic changes in postmenopausal women receiving hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) with tibolone. Methods: 83 postmenopausal women aged 45-62 received the same dose of tibolone for a period of six months to five years without interruption. The women were examined mammographically every six to 12 months during the observation period. Results: There was a low incidence of breast tenderness. Also, we did not observe any significantly increased mammographic density or neoplasmatic disease of the breast. As far as dysplastic changes are concerned, no remarkable aggravation in the mammographic picture was noted. Conclusion: The new synthetic steroid tibolone, in contrast to conventional HRT, rarely causes breast pain. At least short-period tibolone therapy (less than 5 years) has good effects on climacteric disorders and does not cause breast changes (dysplasia or cancer). Our study is on-going.