tibolone (not available in US) improves postmenopausal symptoms

[Lani]

felt to be relatively tissue specific sparing endometrium and breast--but as with everything, not all is known and risk/benefit in patients with breast cancer is a DEFINITE concern

Al--this is in response to your post of the 2 "biggies"(it is available in Europe--is it available in Canada?):

The effect of tibolone versus 17?-estradiol on climacteric symptoms in women with surgical menopause: A randomized, cross-over study


A. Somunkirana, , , C.T. Erelb, F. Demircia and M.L. Senturkb

aAbant Izzet Baysal University, Duzce Medical School, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 81620 Konuralp, Duzce, Turkey
bIstanbul University, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Turkey

Received 19 December 2005; revised 25 May 2006; accepted4 June 2006. Available online 10 July 2006.



Abstract

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of tibolone and 17?-estradiol on climacteric symptoms, in a randomized, single-blind, cross-over study in surgically menopausal women.

Material and methods

Forty surgically menopausal women were divided randomly into two groups. Group A received treatment with tibolone for 6 months, while group B received 17?-estradiol. After 3 weeks washout period, treatment protocols were exchanged for another 6 months. The climacteric symptoms were assessed with Greene Climacteric Scale at baseline, during washout and after the treatments. Statistical analysis was done with the Wilcoxon's Sign Rank test.

Results

Both treatments significantly improved the scores of all subscales with respect to baseline. However, the improvement in psychological, somatic and sexual subscales were significantly superior in the tibolone group compared with 17?-estradiol group. Both treatments showed comparable improvements in the relief of vasomotor symptoms.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that tibolone may improve mood, libido and somatic symptoms in surgically menopausal women to a greater extent than estrogen therapy alone.