The treatment of postmenopausal syndrome by monthly oral doses of quinestrol
Jaschevatzky, O.E.; Anderman, S.; Shalit, A.; Kampf, D.; Grünstein, S.
Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica 58(2): 175-178
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-6349 PMID: 452871 Document Number: 140087
Use of small daily doses of quinestrol, a synthetic estrogen consisting of 3 cyclopenthyl-ether of ethinyl estradiol, has been reported to result in remission of postmenopausal symptoms in many patients. This study used quinestrol in 1 mg monthly oral doses in a group of women (N=70) suffering from the menopausal syndrome (43 from spontaneous and 27 from surgical menopause). 40 women received quinestrol 1 mg and 30 were given placebo. Of the 40 who were given quinestrol, 25 had spontaneous menopause and 15 were surgically induced. In the placebo group, 18 had spontaneous menopause and 12 were surgically induced. Treatment lasted from 6-18 months; none of the patients knew whether they had quinestrol or placebo. Blood samples were taken in 10 patients before treatment and 6 months later. As a whole, improvement was observed in 87.5% of the quinestrol-treated group, in contrast to 50% of the placebo-treated group. For women with spontaneous menopause, an improvement was observed in 88% of the quinestrol group and 50% of the placebo group. With respect to the effectiveness of quinestrol, no significant difference in the relief of symptoms was observed between the 2 groups (spontaneous and surgical menopause). Observed side effects were skin rash in 2 patients, thrombophlebitis in 1 patient, vaginal bleeding in 3 patients and nausea in 4 patients. It was concluded that quinestrol therapy is especially suitable in surgical menopause where substitutive therapy is indicated, as well as in cases where daily intake is not favored.