Effect of micronized progesterone on bone turnover in postmenopausal women on estrogen replacement

PURPOSE: To determine whether daily oral micronized progesterone affects bone turnover, as estimated by serum and urine biochemical markers, in postmenopausal women on long-term estrogen replacement therapy (ERT).We recruited 14 women aged 65 or older to participate in a 9-week trial with micronized progesterone. Each woman had undergone a hysterectomy and was on unopposed ERT at time of study entry. Women received micronized progesterone 100 mg twice daily in the first week and then received 200 mg twice daily in weeks 2-9. We measured markers of bone turnover in serum and urine collected at baseline and at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 9 weeks on treatment.