Tibolone versus four estrogen replacement therapy protocols and plasma lipid levels in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES To compare tibolone therapy with four different estrogen replacement therapy protocols, with regard to the effects on plasma lipid profiles. METHODS The plasma lipid levels of 178 postmenopausal women in five different therapy groups were compared with each other as well as their baseline levels with 6-month intervals during 2-year follow-up. Student's t-test, paired t-test and Pearson correlation analysis were utilized for statistical analysis. RESULTS HDL cholesterol levels increased significantly from baseline in groups using oral estrogen (P<0.05) but a slight non-significant decrease was seen in tibolone therapy (P>0.05). LDL cholesterol levels significantly decreased at the end of the second year in oral estrogen and tibolone users (P<0.05). Triglyceride levels increased non-significantly with estrogen therapy (P>0.05), whilst decreased significantly in the tibolone group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Tibolone may be a good alternative to estrogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women, as it has beneficial effects on LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which play important role in atherosclerosis.