Hormone replacement therapy and changes on pituitary function.
The aim of this study is to know how the pituitary function is affected by several delivery systems of estrogen replacement therapy. 116 menopausal women (54 natural and 62 surgical) were placed into three groups that received replacement therapy and in one control group. We determined prolactine (PRL), gonadotropins and 17 beta-estradiol (E2). We found a decrease in gonadotropin levels in treated patients with a natural menopause, and an increase in gonadotropin levels in the groups treated with conjugated estrogens in surgical menopausal women. 17 beta-E2 was found to be increased in all treated groups, mainly in the continuous therapy group (P less than 0.05). PRL was found to be decreased in patients treated with conjugated estrogens (oophorectomized and not oophorectomized) (P less than 0.05). Although these differences can not be attributed to the presence of the ovaries, we think that they may be the result of the treatment.