Objective: To evaluate the short term effect over menopausal symptoms and quality of life (QoL) of monthly parenteral formulations of 17β-estradiol (E)/progesterone (P) non-polymeric microspheres.
Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a multicenter, randomized, single-blinded study that included peri- and post-menopausal symptomatic women assigned to receive a monthly intramuscular injection of 0.5 mg E + 15 mg P (Group A, n = 34), 1 mg E + 20 mg P (Group B, n = 24), or 1 mg E + 30 mg P (Group C, n = 26) for 6 months. Intensity of menopausal symptoms was assessed before and after treatment with the Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS) and QoL with the Utian Quality of Life Scale (UQoLS).
Results: Menopausal symptoms improved for all groups at six months evidenced by lower cluster/sub-cluster GCS scores. Equally, there was an overall trend for QoL improvement for all groups evidenced by higher domain UQoLS scores at six months; but only significant for the emotional (Groups A and B) and occupational domains (Groups A and C).
Conclusion: The three low-dose continuous sequential intramuscular monthly formulations of E/P microspheres exerted a positive effect over menopausal symptoms and QoL. Long-term research is warranted with these formulations.
Clinical trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov Identifiers NCT 00775242.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00775242.
Keywords: Climacteric; Greene Climacteric Scale; Utian Quality of Life Scale; estradiol; menopausal symptoms; non polymeric microspheres; quality of life.