[Effect of hormone replacement therapy including a progestin on insulin sensitivity and lipid profile in postmenopausal women].

Background: The cardiovascular protective properties of hormone replacement therapy can be hampered when a progestin is used.
Aim: To assess the effects of hormone replacement therapy with progestins on insulin sensitivity and lipid profile.
Patients and Methods: Twelve healthy postmenopausal women aged 45 to 55 years old were studied. Blood lipids and insulin sensitivity, determined using the insulin tolerance test, were measured at baseline and after three months of hormone replacement therapy using conjugated estrogens, 0.625 mg/day and medroxyprogesterone acetate, 5 mg/day.
Results: The glucose disappearance constant was higher after the treatment period than at baseline (5.3 +/- 0.8 and 4.7 +/- 0.8%/min respectively, p = 0.005). Serum LDL cholesterol was also lower at the end of treatment period (124.5 +/- 30.2 and 140 +/- 25.4 mg/dl respectively, p = 0.019).
Conclusions: In this group of postmenopausal women, a period of three months of hormone replacement therapy with a progestin improved insulin sensitivity and lowered LDL cholesterol levels.