Effect of tibolone vs hormone replacement therapy on climacteric symptoms and psychological distress.

Background: The objective was to elucidate the effect of tibolone vs hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on climacteric symptoms and psychological distress.

Methods: All consecutive women with climacteric symptoms were allocated to receive tibolone (2.5 mg) or estradiol valerate (1 mg) plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (2.5 mg).

Results: The improvement in "feeling dizzy or faint" after tibolone treatment was more prominent than that after HRT (-0.7 ± 0.8 vs -0.0 ± 0.9, p = 0.004). In addition, other climacteric symptoms, including anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms, and vasomotor symptoms, and sexual function improved after tibolone and HRT, but there were no between-group differences. Psychological distress assessment demonstrated that somatic complaints, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, depressive symptoms, hostility, additional symptoms, and the General Symptom Index improved after tibolone treatment and HRT, but there were no between-group differences. Personality traits assessment revealed that neuroticism improved after tibolone treatment.

Conclusion: Tibolone seems more beneficial than HRT in treating symptoms of dizziness and faintness. Both tibolone and HRT could improve psychological distress.