M. Brincat

Long‐term effects of the menopause and sex hormones on skin thickness

Summary. Skin collagen content and skin thickness in a group of postmenopausal women who had been treated with sex hormone implants were compared with those in an untreated group of similar women. Both skin collagen content and thickness were found to be significantly greater in the treated than in the untreated group. In the untreated women skin collagen content declined in relation to menopausal age but not to chronological age. No correlation was found with menopausal age, chronological age or duration of therapy in the treated group. These data suggest that skin collagen is influenced by the sex hormone status arid declines after the menopause. contributing to the increase in urinary hydroxyproline excretion that has been reported to occur a t this time.

EFFECT OF OESTROGEN AND TESTOSTERONE IMPLANTS ON PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS IN THE CLIMACTERIC

In a double-blind trial oestradiol, oestradiol/testosterone, or placebo implants were assessed for their effects on psychological symptoms in women attending a menopause clinic. After two months, women receiving active treatment scored better than the placebo group on a self-rating scale of distress, on anxiety, and on depression (p less than 0.05). Postmenopausal but not perimenopausal women improved after placebo, and at 4 months the scores in the three groups no longer differed significantly.

The effects of norethisterone in postmenopausal women on oestrogen replacement therapy: a model for the premenstrual syndrome

Summary. The influence of norethisterone on mood and behaviour was investigated in prospective placebo‐controlled study in 58 postmenopausal hysterectomized women who were being treated with subcutaneous oestradiol and testosterone implants. Norethisterone, 2·5 or 5 mg daily, was given for 7 days and a placebo for two periods of 7 days. Psychological, behavioural and physical variables were assessed using the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. There were widespread adverse effects which were dose‐related. Significant changes in five of the eight symptom complexes studied (pain, concentration, behavioural change, water retention and negative affect) were found with 5 mg/day of the progestogen. The symptoms were similar to the typical complaints of the premenstrual syndrome, such that a combination of oestradiol and testosterone implants with cyclical oral norethisterone appears to be a model for this condition. The dose of this progestogen should therefore be the minimum to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.

Sex hormones and skin collagen content in postmenopausal women.

Skin biopsy specimens were taken from 29 postmenopausal women who had not been given hormone replacement therapy and from 26 women who had been treated with oestrogen and testosterone implants for two to 10 years. The mean hydroxyproline content and therefore the mean collagen content in the skin was found to be 48% greater in the treated than the untreated women, who were matched for age. This difference was significant (p less than 0.01). The implication of this finding is that oestrogen or testosterone, or both, prevents the decrease in skin collagen content that occurs with aging and protects skin in the same way as it protects bone in postmenopausal women.

Treatment of the premenstrual syndrome by subcutaneous estradiol implants and cyclical oral norethisterone: placebo controlled study.

The hypothesis that the many non-specific changes normally associated with cyclical ovarian activity are the primary aetiological factors in the premenstrual syndrome was tested by suppressing ovulation with subcutaneous oestradiol implants. Sixty eight women with proved premenstrual syndrome were treated under placebo controlled conditions for up to 10 months in a longitudinal study. Active treatment was combined with cyclical oral norethisterone to produce regular withdrawal periods. Symptoms were monitored with daily menstrual distress questionnaires, visual analogue scales, and the 60 item general health questionnaire. Of the 35 women treated with placebo 33 improved, giving an initial placebo response rate of 94%. The placebo effect gradually waned, but the response to the active combination was maintained for the duration of the study. Analysis of the prospective symptom ratings showed a significant superiority of oestradiol implants over placebo after two months for all six symptom clusters in the menstrual distress questionnaire. Changes seen in the retrospective assessments were less significant but the trend was the same. Treatment with oestradiol implants and cyclical progestogen was well tolerated and appears to be both rational and effective for severe cases of the premenstrual syndrome.

Correlation of urethral physiology and skin collagen in postmenopausal women

Summary. Connective tissue collagen is thought to contribute to the generation of urethral pressure. It has been previously shown that skin collagen and urethral pressure are oestrogen dependent. This study demonstrates a correlation between urethral pressure measurements and skin collagen content. It is suggested that the beneficial effect of oestrogens on urethral function may be mediated by collagen.

Decline in skin collagen content and metacarpal index after the menopause and its prevention with sex hormone replacement

Summary. The thigh skin collagen content and the metacarpal index were measured in 69 untreated postmenopausal women and in 37 postmenopausal women who had been receiving oestradiol and testos terone implants for 2–10 years. There was a significant positive correlation between the skin collagen content and the metacarpal index in both groups of patients. In the untreated group, there was a statistically significant decrease both in the thigh skin collagen content and in the metacarpal index with the years since the menopause. This decrease was preventable in women who were on sex hormone replacement therapy.

Subcutaneous hormone implants for the control of climacteric symptoms. A prospective study.

55 postmenopausal women on established hormone replacement therapy were treated with either oestradiol and testosterone implants or placebo at the time of return of climacteric symptoms. Their response to therapy was assessed prospectively. The statistically highly significant levels of symptom relief that followed an oestradiol and testosterone implant were contrasted sharply with the lack of any significant relief with placebo. Despite the success of oestradiol and testosterone implants in relieving symptoms of the climacteric, symptoms returned once the treatment was stopped. Evidence is presented that it is the fall in hormone levels rather than the level itself that provokes the return of climacteric symptoms.

Internal urinary sphincter in maintenance of female continence.

The integrity of the bladder neck was assessed in 98 continent women. Radiological and physiological evidence showed that half of these women had an incompetent bladder neck, but they were still continent. These data devalue the urodynamic finding of an incompetent bladder neck as an indication for surgery for incontinence and question the physiological importance of the internal sphincter.

Skin collagen changes in postmenopausal women receiving different regimens of estrogen therapy

Collagen is a widespread body constituent that is affected by estrogen status in women. Its decrease after menopause can be prevented and/or restored by estrogen treatment. We explored the effect of four different hormonal replacement regimens on total skin collagen content by measuring hydroxyproline in skin biopsy specimens taken from postmenopausal women. All regimens showed increases in skin collagen levels proportionate to the levels at the start of the treatment. Estrogen replacement therapy is shown to be prophylactic in women who have higher skin collagen levels and both prophylactic and therapeutic in women with lower skin collagen levels.