International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences | Vol. 13, No. 6, June 2023 | pp. 41–48

DOI: 10.46882/2023/IJMMS/130041

Original Research Article

Efficacy of Low-Dose Oral Progesterone versus Transdermal Estradiol for the Management of Postmenopausal Vasomotor Symptoms

Fatima Z. Bello¹, Kwaku A. Mensah², Grace N. Ojo¹*

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.

²Department of Community Health, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

Abstract:

Postmenopausal vasomotor symptoms can significantly reduce quality of life, requiring effective and well-tolerated hormone therapy options. This randomized, open-label, comparative clinical trial evaluated the therapeutic efficacy and safety of low-dose oral micronized progesterone versus transdermal estradiol patches for the management of hot flashes and night sweats in postmenopausal women. A total of 150 symptomatic postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to receive either oral progesterone (100 mg daily, n = 75) or a transdermal estradiol patch (50 μg daily, n = 75) for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the reduction in the frequency and severity of vasomotor symptoms, assessed using a daily symptom diary and the Hot Flash Daily Score (HFDS). Both treatment modalities led to significant symptom reductions; however, transdermal estradiol achieved a significantly greater reduction in mean weekly hot flash frequency (74.5% decrease from baseline) compared to oral progesterone (58.2% decrease, p < 0.01). Mean HFDS scores also improved more in the estradiol arm (p < 0.05). In contrast, sleep quality scores improved significantly more in the oral progesterone group compared to the transdermal estradiol cohort (p < 0.01), likely due to the sedative properties of progesterone metabolites. Adverse events were mild, with minor breast tenderness more frequent in the estradiol group (14.7%) and mild somnolence more common in the progesterone arm (12.0%). Both therapeutic options are effective, but transdermal estradiol offers superior control of hot flashes, while oral progesterone provides better sleep benefits for symptomatic postmenopausal women.

Keywords: Menopause, Vasomotor Symptoms, Estradiol, Progesterone, Hormone Therapy, Sleep Quality

Manuscript Timeline: Received: March 11, 2023; Revised: April 19, 2023; Accepted: May 15, 2023; Published: June 15, 2023.

Citation: Bello FZ, Mensah KA, Ojo GN. Efficacy of Low-Dose Oral Progesterone versus Transdermal Estradiol for the Management of Postmenopausal Vasomotor Symptoms. International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 2023, 13(6): 41–48. DOI: 10.46882/2023/IJMMS/130041

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