Effects of the repetitive administration of progesterone by nasal spray in postmenopausal women

Ettore Cicinelli, E. Cicinelli, M Cignarelli, Mauro Cignarelli, Leonardo Resta, L Resta, P. Scorcia, Donata Petruzzi, D. Petruzzi, G Santoro, Giuseppe Santoro
Fertility and sterility · 1993 · vol. 60(6) , pp. 1020–1024 · doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(16)56403-6 · PMID:8243679 · W2402106494
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This study investigated the effects of repeatedly administering progesterone via nasal spray to postmenopausal women.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of 10 days of nasal spray P treatment on P serum levels and the endometrium. DESIGN: Prospective. SETTING: University Medical School. PATIENTS: Eight postmenopausal women received oral conjugated estrogens at a daily dose of 0.625 mg for 4 weeks immediately before vaginal surgery for prolapse. For the first 9 of the last 10 days the patients also received a nasal spray dosage of 11.2 mg P three times a day; on the 10th day they received only one dose. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Blood samples were taken at 8:00 A.M. on treatment days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 11 to follow P serum concentration levels. Endometrial samples for histologic examination were collected before P administration and immediately after surgery to evaluate the end-organ effect. RESULTS: Mean P serum levels increased sixfold after 9 days of nasal spray P administration [from 0.612 +/- 0.280 ng/mL (1.958 +/- 0.896 nmol/L) to 3.925 +/- 1.553 ng/mL (12.560 +/- 4.970 nmol/L)] and declined thereafter, returning to the before treatment levels 24 hours after the last administration. In all subjects, the first histologic evaluation showed proliferative endometrium; the second showed clear secretive changes. CONCLUSIONS: Repetitive nasal spray P administration for 10 days in postmenopausal women led to increasing P serum levels and, when the estrogen stimulation was adequate, to secretory changes in the endometrium (end-organ effect).

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MeSH descriptors

Postmenopause Progesterone Administration, Intranasal Endometrium Endometrium Endometrium Endometrium Estradiol Estradiol Female Follicle Stimulating Hormone Follicle Stimulating Hormone Humans Middle Aged Progesterone Progesterone Progesterone Prospective Studies Uterine Prolapse Uterine Prolapse

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