Improved bleeding profile and tolerability of tibolone versus transdermal E2/NETA treatment in postmenopausal women with female sexual dysfunction.

Author(s): Nijland EA, Nathorst-Boos J, Palacios S, van de Weijer PW, Davis S, Stathopoulos VM, Birkhaeuser MH, von Mauw E, Mulder RJ, Schultz WC, LISA study investigators group

Affiliation(s): Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Groningen University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Publication date & source: 2009-04, Climacteric., 12(2):114-21.

Publication type: Comparative Study; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

OBJECTIVES: To compare the incidence of vaginal spotting/bleeding events and breast pain between therapy with tibolone 2.5 mg and continuous combined transdermal estradiol (E(2))/norethisterone acetate (NETA) 50 microg/140 microg after 24 weeks of treatment. METHODS: A double-blind, double-dummy, randomized, controlled trial was performed and assessments were performed at baseline, week 12 and week 24. Bleeding/spotting events were recorded in a daily diary. Breast signs and symptoms were collected as adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 403 women (mean age 56 years) were randomized. Bleeding/spotting events during weeks 1-12 with tibolone and E(2)/NETA were experienced by 16% and 56% of women, respectively (p < 0.001). The corresponding percentages during weeks 13-24 were 12% and 51%, respectively (p < 0.001). E(2)/NETA was significantly more likely than tibolone to be associated with vaginal hemorrhage (11% vs. 0%; p < 0.001) and breast signs and symptoms (11% vs. 4%; p = 0.015). Early discontinuations resulting from adverse events were significantly more common in the E(2)/NETA group than in the tibolone group (20% vs. 12%), primarily related to withdrawal due to vaginal hemorrhage (8% vs. 0%). CONCLUSIONS: Tibolone has a significantly better tolerability profile than transdermal E(2)/NETA as measured by vaginal bleeding, breast pain and treatment continuation.