Six-month pilot study of oestrogen replacement therapy with piperazine oestrone sulphate and its effect on memory

SummaryEighteen patients (age range 29 to 68 years) completed a 6-month double-blind pilot study of piperazine oestrone sulphate. Ten patients presented with signs and symptoms of oestrogen deficiency; the remaining 8 had undergone hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in the 6 months preceding the start of the trial. Patients were randomly allocated to drug or placebo tablets. Those on active therapy took 1.5 mg piperazine oestrone sulphate twice daily; the control group took a placebo tablet twice daily. In every case, treatment was taken intermittently, with each 3-weeks' course of tablets followed by a week's interval before starting treatment again. In the active treatment group, hot flushes, dysuria, vaginal discomfort, dyspareunia and urinary symptoms, and insomnia were markedly improved. There was also a statistically significant improvement in memory after treatment. Clotting factors and other laboratory tests remained within normal limits during the course of treatment.