From the Adverse Drug Reaction Committee. Can long-term estrogen treatment induce uterine neoplasms in post-climacteric women?
Setekleiv, J.; Borchgrevink, C.F.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 96(9-10): 594-595
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 1258036 Document Number: 104855
The side effects of using estrogen treatments to relieve menopausal symptoms in women are presented. Estrogens are effective in relieving headaches, vertigo, palpitations, and nervous symptoms such as depression, as well as degeneration and atrophy of the genital organs. In Norway, 2.5% of women over 45 as compared with 50% in the U.S. use estrogens to relieve menopausal symptoms. The incidence of endometrial cancer has risen from 9.2/100,000 in 1955 to 15.4 in 1974. Increased susceptibility to endometrial cancer has been linked to long-term use of estrogens, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and nulliparity. In American studies, Premarin has been associated with increased risk of cancer related to the chemical equilinine, which has a long half-life. After menopause, the need for estrogen is met by the conversion of androstenedione, which is produced by the adrenal gland. When estrogens are taken, it may result in an overstimulation of the endometrium, which could cause cancer. Estrogens have bene found useful and safe for short-term relief of menopausal symptoms, and any patient using estrogens should be under routine observation to prevent development of cancer.