Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate some coagulative and fibrinolytic changes in women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Materials and methods: In 29 women aged 45-64 years with osteoporosis and climacteric symptoms several fibrinolytic and coagulative parameters were measured. These measurements were performed three times in each women--before and after three and six months of HRT containing transdermal 17 beta-estradiol (50 mg per day) and oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (2.5 mg per day).
Results: PAI-1 (antigen) and factor VII (activity) were decreased significantly during the trial. No other significant modifications in the examined parameters (fibrinogen, antithrombin III, protein C, protein S, thrombin-antithormbin III complexes, t-PA and D-dimers) were detected.
Conclusions: The hormone replacement therapy can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease thanks to decreased levels of PAI-1 and factor VII. No other changes in coagulation and fibrinolysis were observed during the treatment.