Serum lipids during oestradiol-valerate/norgestrel treatment of menopausal women. Double-blind study of a sequential preparation.

Thirty-three women aged 38-56 years, all with menopausal complaints, were treated after randomization during three cycles either with oestradiolvalerate/norgestrel suquential therapy or a placebo and then during three cycles with the opposite drug. Serum cholesterol, triglycerides, glycerol as well as plasma FFA and lipoprotein electrophoresis were studied before the institution of treatment, after each cycle, and 4 weeks after the intake of the last tablet. During the treatment period the triglyceride level was significantly lower than during the placebo period, whereas no changes occurred in other parameters. The decrease was at a maximum after 8 weeks' treatment; 4 weeks after the discontinuation of treatment the levels were as before its institution. It cannot be decided whether the decrease was due to the natural oestrogen or to the gestagen.