EFFECTS OF MENOPAUSAL HORMONE THERAPY ON CLIMACTERIC-RELATED SYMPTOMS IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH A HISTORY OF HYSTERECTOMY: A PLACEBO-CONTROLLED DOUBLE-BLIND STUDY USING THE WOMEN’S HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE (WHQ)

Abstract Objective. To evaluate whether menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) alleviates climacteric-related symptoms among peri- or postmenopausal women with history of hysterectomy. The key interest of the study was to evaluate the effect of unopposed estradiol (E2) without the interference of progestin supplementation. Methods. Altogether 63 women were accepted to the research. We used both original and revised version of The Women’s Health Questionnaire to measure climacteric-related symptoms, which were included both as symptom domains and as separate items. MHT use was compared to the baseline and to placebo. The research included two 3-month treatment periods (MHT and placebo) and a 1-month wash-out period with placebo to minimize carry-over effect. Results. As symptom domains, vasomotor symptoms (VMS) (p<0.001), sleep problems (p<0.001), depressive symptoms (p=0.019), anxiety/fears (p=0.003), cognitive difficulties (p<0.001) and sexual functioning (p=0.012) decreased with MHT compared to baseline. As separate items, when the MHT use was compared to baseline, hot flushes (p<0.001), night sweats (p<0.001), difficulty in getting to sleep (p<0.001), difficulty in waking up early (p=0.015), feeling of irritability (p<0.001), sensations of butterflies in one’s stomach (p=0.006), feeling of clumsiness (p<0.001), feeling of poor memory (p=0.017), losing interest in sexual activity (p=0.015), feeling of sick or nauseous (p=0.023) and abdominal cramps (p=0.015) decreased. MHT increased tender breast (p<0.001). When the MHT was compared to placebo, as symptom domains, VMS (p <0.001), sleep problems (p=0.006) and sexual functioning (p=0.013) decreased . As separate items, compared to placebo, women with MHT had less hot flushes (p <0.001), night sweats (p <0.001), difficulties getting to sleep (p <0.001), they were less irritable (p=0.005) and tense (p=0.005) than usual and had more interest in sexual activity (p=0.013). There was no effect on somatic symptoms or cognitive difficulties. Compared to placebo, women reported more breast tenderness (p