Effects of estradiol-drospirenone hormone treatment on carotid artery intima-media thickness and vertigo/dizziness in postmenopausal women

To investigate the effects of Angeliq on hormonal, metabolic, biochemical and cardiovascular profile, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and vertigo/dizziness symptoms in postmenopausal women. Angeliq is a drug used for hormone replacement therapy that composed of drospirenone 2 mg and estradiol 1 mg. Thirty-two postmenopausal women were recruited for the study. All women were evaluated using personal interview, medical examination and carotid artery ultrasound. They were questioned specifically about vertigo/dizziness experienced. Participants were randomly submitted to oral daily treatment with Angeliq. The duration of the study was 6 months and the participants were studied in basal condition and after 6 months of the therapy. Follicle-stimulating hormone was significantly higher and estradiol was significantly lower in before therapy (BT) than in after therapy (AT) (p < 0.001). No differences in fasting glucose, CRP and WBC values, and lipid-lipoprotein profile were detected between the groups. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart rate were also significantly higher in BT than in AT (p < 0.05). A significant (p < 0.001) difference in CIMT (0.51 +/- A 0.04 vs. 0.49 +/- A 0.03 mm) was found between BT and AT. Seven of 32 patients (22%) had vertigo/dizziness symptoms before treatment. After 6 months, none of the patients showed complaints of vertigo/dizziness. Oral daily treatment with Angeliq reduces CIMT and climacteric complaints including vertigo/dizziness in postmenopausal women. They may relate to anti-androgenic and anti-mineralocorticoid effects of Angeliq, respectively.