Efficacy of a new, oral estradiol acetate formulation for relief of menopause symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of three doses of a new, oral formulation of estradiol acetate (EA) for alleviation of vasomotor and urogenital symptoms in postmenopausal women. DESIGN: Two separate 12-week studies were undertaken in postmenopausal women with moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms. In the first study, women were randomly assigned to EA 0.9 mg/day, EA 1.8 mg/day, or placebo (study 1; N = 293), and in the second study to oral EA 0.45 mg/day or placebo (study 2; N = 259). Women recorded the frequency and severity of vasomotor symptoms daily and urogenital symptoms weekly on diary cards. Investigators assessed signs of vaginal atrophy. RESULTS: Frequency of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms decreased significantly versus placebo, starting at week 2 in the EA 1.8-mg group (P = 0.005), week 3 in the EA 0.9-mg group (P = 0.003), and week 6 in the EA 0.45-mg group (P < 0.05). At week 12, mean percent reduction from baseline in vasomotor-symptom frequency was 91%, 78%, and 61%, respectively. Vasomotor-symptom severity decreased significantly versus placebo, starting at weeks 2 and 3 with EA 1.8 mg and 0.9 mg, respectively, and at week 5 with EA 0.45 mg. Vaginal pH and maturation index improved significantly in all EA groups versus placebo, and some signs and symptoms of vaginal atrophy improved at the EA 0.9- and 1.8-mg doses. Side effects were mild to moderate and consistent with estrogen therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Oral EA at all doses was well tolerated and significantly reduced the frequency and severity of postmenopause symptoms versus placebo.