VAGINAL ABSORPTION OF ESTRONE AND 17BETA-ESTRADIOL

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  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 28  (10) , 1063-1066
Abstract
In order to study estrogen absorption from the vagina, 0.5 mg of unconjugated estrone (E1) or 17.beta.-estradiol (E2) was administered vaginally to 10 postmenopausal patients. A 29-fold increase in plasma E2 and a 4-fold increase in plasma E1 concentrations were observed 1 h following the vaginal deposition of 0.5 mg of E2. Maximal decreases of 25% and 37% in plasma levels of follicle-stimulating hormone FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), respectively, were observed at 5 h following treatment. After vaginal administration (1 h) of 0.5 mg of E1, a 24-fold increase in plasma E1 and a 3.7-fold increase in E2 were observed. These increases were associated with a 30% decrease in plasma FSH and LH. The vaginal administration of E2 or E1 apparently may be used to achieve physiologic blood levels of these estrogens. Vaginal estrogens probably should not be used in patients in whom systemic estrogen therapy is contrainidicated.

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