Effect of Daily Estradiol Hemihidrate and Norethisterone Acetate on Carotid and Renal Arterial Blood Flow in Postmenopausal Women

Objective: To determine short term effects of daily combined 2 mg estradiol hemihidrate and 1 mg norethisterone acetate on internal carotid artery and renal artery in postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: Fifty postmenopausal women who applied to our menopause outpatient clinic were recruited into the study. Daily combined 2 mg estradiol hemihidrate and 1 mg norethisterone acetate were given for 6 months. Internal carotid and renal artery pulsatility indices were assessed by color flow pulsed doppler. Paired t test was used for statistical analysis. Results: There were no significant differences in weight, arterial blood pressure and pulsatility indices before and after treatment (P>0.05). Pulsatility indices before and after treatment were 0.87 +/- 0.17 and 0.89 +/- 0.13 for right internal carotid artery and 0.84 +/- 0.12 and 0.86 +/- 0.11 for left internal carotid artery respectively. Pulsatility indices before and after treatment were 0.98 +/- 0.17 and 1.01 +/- 0.14 for right renal artery and 0.98 +/- 0.16 and 0.98 +/- 0.15 for left renal artery respectively. Conclusion: Daily combined 2 mg estradiol and 1 mg norethisterone acetate use has no favourable short term effects on carotid and renal arterial perfusion that supply the two main end-organs, the brain and the kidneys.