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Metabolic Effect of Conjugated Oestrogens (USP) on Glucose Tolerance
Abstract
Synthetic oestrogens contained in normal contraceptives have been shown to cause a decrease in tolerance to oral glucose after prolonged use in young as well as in climacteric females. To assess the effect of natural oestrogens on glucose tolerance, conjugated oestrogens (USP) (Premarin 1,25 mg) were administered cyclically for one year to a mixed group of 50 normal and diabetic postmenopausal women. Of the total group 38% developed a decrease in glucose tolerance on treatment, significant deviations from normal being found in 18%. Glucose tolerance was improved or the imbalance maintained in 60% of the diabetic and 'abnormal' group. In most instances the lowering of the glucose tolerance stabilised itself after 9 months' treatment in normals and diabetics, and was usually reversed on _withdrawal of therapy. It can be concluded that conjugated oestrogens may impair glucose tolerance in a low percentage of patients, but their effect appears to be much less than that of the synthetic oestrogens.
It is unlikely that conjugated oestrogens per se, will induce overt diabetes.
