The treatment of hypertriglyceridaemia in menopausal women with transdermal oestradiol therapy.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of transdermal oestradiol on serum triglycerides in menopausal women with pre-existing mild to moderate hypertriglyceridaemia. Forty-four women, who had had a hysterectomy and who had been maintained on 50 microg unopposed oestradiol for six months, were divided into two groups: those with normal baseline triglyceride concentrations (0.4-2 mmol/L) (n = 34) and those with raised baseline readings (> 2-4 mmol/L) (n = 10). There was a significant reduction in the concentrations of serum triglycerides in both groups [-9.6% (P < 0.001) and -17% (P < 0.001), respectively]. Transdermal oestradiol therapy may be a useful treatment option in menopausal women with pre-existing hypertriglyceridaemia. There is a need to conduct large, prospective, controlled trials using transdermal oestradiol to treat hypertriglyceridaemia in menopausal women.