Metabolic profile of a continuous versus a cyclic low-dose combined oral contraceptive after one year of use. A multicenter, randomized study of an extended cycle oral contraceptive. Effects on haemostasis of hormone replacement therapy with transdermal estradiol and oral sequential medroxyprogesterone acetate: a 1-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The Writing Group for the Estradiol Clotting Factors Study. Efficacy of sequential cyclical hormonal therapy in endometrial cancer and its correlation with steroid hormone receptor status. A two-year double-blind controlled study of the clinical effect of combined and sequential postmenopausal replacement therapy and steroid metabolism during treatment. Comparison of short 7-day and prolonged treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist desensitization for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Prospective, randomised study with three HRT regimens in postmenopausal women with an intact uterus. Efficacy of estrogen supplementation in the treatment of urinary incontinence. The Continence Program for Women Research Group.
To compare the effects of a combined oral contraceptive (COC) taken continuously with those of one of similar composition taken cyclically on 30 variables related to haemostasis, lipids, carbohydrates, bone metabolism, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).
                Randomised, open-label, multicentre, comparative substudy of a larger phase 3 trial involving 147 healthy women (age 18-49 years). Participants received the COC either continuously (levonorgestrel [LNG] 90 μg/ethinylestradiol [EE] 20 μg) or cyclically (21/7 days pattern; LNG 100 μg/EE 20 μg).
                After 13 pill packs, changes in total cholesterol (+0.23 vs. -0.06 mmol/l), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (+0.25 vs. -0.12 mmol/l), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(3) (-0.06 vs. -0.15 mmol/l) differed significantly (p<0.05) between the continuous and cyclic regimens, respectively. Increases were significantly greater (p <0.05) for protein C antigen (+11.8% vs. +6.1%) and SHBG (+791 vs. +565 nmol/l), and significantly smaller (p <0.05, ranks) for D-dimer (+19 vs. +37 μg FE/l).
                Overall, the continuous and cyclic regimens affected metabolic variables similarly. The larger increase in SHBG with the continuous COC is consistent with a higher net oestrogenic effect due to a lower daily dose of LNG. Prospective studies are required to determine the long-term effects of this continuous COC regimen. To assess the efficacy and safety of Seasonale, 91-day extended cycle oral contraceptive (OC).
                A parallel, randomized, multicenter open-label, 1-year study of the OC Seasonale [30 microg ethinyl estradiol (EE)/150 microg levonorgestrel (LNG), and Nordette-28 (30 microg EE/150 microg LNG)] in sexually active, adult women (18-40 years) of childbearing potential. Patients received either four 91-day cycles of extended cycle regimen OC, or 13 cycles of the conventional 28-day OC with daily monitoring of compliance and bleeding via electronic diaries.
                When taken daily for 84 days followed by 7 days of placebo, the extended cycle regimen was effective in preventing pregnancy and had a safety profile that was comparable to that observed with the 28-day OC regimen that served as the control. While unscheduled (breakthrough) bleeding was reported among patients treated with the extended cycle regimen, it decreased with each successive cycle of therapy and was comparable to that reported by patients who received the conventional OC regimen by the fourth extended cycle.
                This study demonstrated that Seasonale, 91-day extended cycle OC containing 84 days of 30 microg EE/150 microg LNG followed by 7 days of placebo, was effective, safe and well tolerated. After menopause the haemostatic balance shifts towards a latent hypercoagulable state. To evaluate the effects of two regimens of transdermal estradiol (E2) combined with progestin on the balance between procoagulant factors and inhibitors, 255 women in physiological menopause for 1-5 years were randomly allocated to 1 year of treatment with cyclic transdermal E2 (50 micrograms/day for 21 days) plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) (10 mg/day from days 10 to 21), continuous transdermal E2 (50 micrograms/day for 28 days) plus MPA (10 mg/day from days 14 to 25), or placebo. Fibrinogen, factor VII (FVII), factor VIII:C (FVIII:C), antithrombin III (ATIII), protein C, protein S, heparin cofactor II (HCII) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) levels were measured at baseline and after 6 and 12 cycles. 167 women who took the treatment for at least 6 cycles were evaluable. The continuous treatment group had significantly lower final values of fibrinogen, FVII, ATIII, protein S and HCII than the placebo group; the cyclic treatment reduced fibrinogen in comparison with placebo but the difference was not significant. In conclusion, both regimens produce a clinically relevant decrease of fibrinogen levels; the continuous regimen affects also the levels of FVII and inhibitors suggesting that the haemostatic balance is shifted to a more physiological state. Forty-six eligible women with metastatic endometrial cancer were randomly allocated to receive monthly cycles of either CAF (cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, 5-fluorouracil) or CAF plus Provera 200 mg daily for 3 weeks followed cyclically by Tamoxifen 20 mg daily for 3 weeks. Overall response rates of 15 and 43% were seen with CAF and CAF plus hormonal therapy. Using a multivariate analysis of the results, this difference is significant (P value 0.05). In 8 patients with operable endometrial cancer, negative estrogen receptor concentration (ER less than 15 fmole/mg protein) and Grade 3 disease, the clinical course was aggressive in 4 patients with systemic and local relapse. In 10 other similar patients (negative ER and Grade 3) who received adjuvant cyclical hormonal therapy only 1 relapsed and the other 9 are disease-free for an average of more than 31 months. Sequential cyclical hormonal therapy with ER and progesterone receptor analysis has a place in the management of endometrial carcinoma. A total of 151 postmenopausal women were randomly allocated to 3 groups for treatment with hormone replacement therapy. One group received combined therapy (2 mg oestradiol (E2) and 1 mg norethisterone acetate (NETA) daily), the second group was placed on sequential therapy (2 mg E2 for 12 days, 2 mgE2 and 1 mg NETA for 10 days and 1 mg E2 for 6 days), while the third was given placebo. Treatment was administered over 24 cycles of 28 days. The two active treatments were equally effective in relieving climacteric symptoms. In the combined therapy group, 62% of the women experienced spotting and/or breakthrough bleeding during the first 3 cycles; thereafter this proportion decreased to between 3 and 18% in each of the following three-cycle periods. Sixty-four percent (64%) of these women had no more bleeding after the first 3 cycles. Endometrial atrophy was detected in 93% of the women in this group after 24 cycles of therapy. Bleeding irregularities occurred during the first 3 cycles in 27% of the patients treated with sequential therapy and in 21% of those receiving placebo. In the subsequent 3-cycle periods these figures fell to below 10% in the 2 groups. In all 3 groups weight remained stable but blood pressure increased equally in the actively treated groups and the placebo group. The levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and the free fraction of E2 in serum were significantly lower in the combined therapy group than in the sequential therapy group. The higher level of free E2 in the latter group may have been caused by a decrease in metabolism associated with the increased SHBG concentration. It was concluded that combined treatment with E2 and NETA might provide an alternative to sequential treatment in postmenopausal women willing to tolerate the initial high risk of breakthrough bleeding/spotting in order to avoid subsequent regular bleeding. In the subgroup of women in whom bleeding irregularities continue, sequential treatment should be considered. To compare two treatment regimens associating a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH).
                A prospective randomized trial.
                The outpatient fertility clinic of a university tertiary care center, the Hôpital A. Béclère, Clamart, France.
                One hundred eighty-two in vitro fertilization (IVF) candidates undergoing new or repeat IVF cycles at Hôpital A. Béclère over a 4-month period.
                Group 1 (7-day protocol): A short-acting preparation of GnRH-a (Tripteriline 0.1) was administered daily for 7 days, starting on cycle day 2. Ovarian stimulation with hMG was started on cycle day 4. Group 2 (long protocol): A timed release preparation of GnRH-a (Tripteriline 3.75 mg) was administered on cycle day 2. Ovarian stimulation with hMG was started after documented ovarian suppression.
                Response to COH, pregnancy rate (PR), tolerance.
                In the 7-day protocol, the amount of hMG required was markedly lower at 24 +/- 7 than in the long protocol group requiring 42.5 +/- 9.75 vials (75 IU) (mean +/- SD). No elevation of plasma LH occurred in either group. The number of oocytes retrieved was 7.3 +/- 1 and 10.7 +/- 1.2 (mean +/- SD) in the 7-day and long protocols, respectively. Yet, the number of embryos obtained and the PRs were similar in the two treatment groups.
                We observed that in COH, GnRH-a treatment could be interrupted safely several days before human chorionic gonadotropin administration without risking a premature increase of plasma luteinizing hormone. Moreover, the number of embryos available for fresh transfer and the ongoing PRs were similar in the new 7-day and in the classic long GnRH-a/hMG protocols, despite the smaller number of oocytes suggesting a greater efficiency of the 7-day protocol. The peak estradiol level and the hMG requirement were also lower in the 7-day GnRH-a/hMG protocol. To compare compliance, symptom control, bleeding patterns, lipid and biochemical changes in postmenopausal women treated with three regimens of HRT.
                In a prospective, randomised, group comparative study, with 165 patients, the effects on the aforementioned parameters, as well as treatment compliance and side effects were studied with oral tibolone 2.5 mg per day, with cyclic combined regimen of transdermal oestrogen and progestogen (transdermal patch of 17beta-oestradiol 50 microg/day during 14 days and transdermal patch of 17beta-oestradiol 50 microg/day plus 0.25 mg/day NETA during the following 14 days), and with intermittent progesterone regimen (transdermal 17beta-oestradiol 50 microg/day and oral micronised natural progesterone 200 mg twice a week). Statistical analysis was carried out using the Fisher-test, analysis of the variance (ANOVA) and the Bouferoni test.
                Ten women dropped out of the tibolone group, 11 dropped out of the intermittent dosing group and 21 dropped out of the cyclid combined group. Irregular bleeding occurred at more rates in the cyclid combined group. Similar reductions in climacteric symptoms were found in the three groups. No differences were observed with respect to biochemical analysis.
                Efficacy and safety of the three treatment regimens being comparable, but the patients in our study preferred those that did not produce bleeding episodes. To assess the efficacy of cyclic postmenopausal hormone replacement in treating urinary incontinence in hypoestrogenic women.
                Eighty-three hypoestrogenic women complaining of urinary incontinence were included. All patients were community-dwelling, age 45 years or older, with involuntary loss of urine occurring at least once a week and urodynamic evidence of genuine stress incontinence and/or detrusor instability. Evaluation consisted of a comprehensive clinical and urodynamic research protocol. The hypoestrogenic entry criterion was a plasma estradiol level of 30 pg/mL or less. Parabasal cells on vaginal smears were also monitored. The primary outcome was the number of incontinent episodes per week, as documented on a standardized urinary diary. Secondary outcomes were the quantity of fluid loss, voluntary diurnal and nocturnal micturition frequency, generic and condition-specific health-related quality of life measurements, and patient satisfaction. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind design was used. Subjects in the treatment group were given conjugated equine estrogens (0.625 mg) and medroxyprogesterone (10 mg) cyclically for 3 months. Controls received placebo tablets.
                (All results are presented as mean +/- standard deviation.) Subjects were 67 +/- 9 years old. The menopause duration was 18 +/- 11 years. The duration of incontinence was 9 +/- 9 years. Estradiol level at baseline was 9 +/- 9 pg/mL, and the parabasal cell count was 42 +/- 44%. The number of incontinent episodes at baseline was 13 +/- 10 for the treatment group and 16 +/- 4 for controls. No significant changes occurred in the number of incontinent episodes after treatment: 10 +/- 10 for the treatment group, and 13 +/- 14 for the controls (P = .7). Also, fluid loss was not changed: 176 +/- 106 g for the treatment group and 64 +/- 88 g for the control group at baseline, and 101 +/- 150 and 51 +/- 69 g after treatment, respectively (P = .7). There were no significant differences for either diurnal or nocturnal voluntary micturition, quality of life measures, or patient's perception of improvement.
                Three-month cyclic hormone replacement therapy did not affect either clinical or quality of life variables of incontinent, hypoestrogenic women. Long-term effects are unlikely to be substantially different. The use of estrogen supplementation as preventive or adjuvant therapy was not evaluated in this study.
Evidence from existing randomized control trials comparing CHCs given continuously (greater than 28 days of active combined hormones) to traditional monthly cyclic dosing (21 days of active hormone and 7 days of placebo) is of good quality. However, the variations in type of hormones and time length for continuous dosing make a formal meta-analysis impossible. Future studies should choose a previously described type of CHC and dosing regimen. More attention needs to be directed towards participant satisfaction and menstruation-associated symptoms.