Effect of postmenopausal estrogen therapy on diastolic blood pressure and bodyweight.

The effect of two forms of exogenous estrogen and a placebo on diastolic blood pressure and bodyweight was evaluated in 50 oophorectomized women. There was no significant change in bodyweight on any form of treatment, nor was there any significant elevation in mean diastolic blood pressure. However, 2 out of 49 females on conjugated estrogen showed a marked elevation of the diastolic blood pressure. It is therefore recommended that all women on exogenous estrogen treatment have their blood pressure checked at least once every 6 months. Provided this precaution is observed, changes in bodyweight or diastolic blood pressure need not be considered as potential disadvantages in the evaluation of indications for long-term estrogen treatment.