A double-blind cross-over study of piperazine oestrone sulphate and placebo with coagulation studies.

A double-blind trial of piperazine oestrone sulphate was performed over a period of 14 months on 55 menopausal women complaining of depressiona and hot flushes. Depression was not affected but the hot flushes were significantly lessened by the oestrogen treatment. After three months of piperazine oestrone sulphate there were no significant accelerations of prothrombin time or increases in factors VII or X but, after six months, there was an acceleration in the prothrombin time. After 14 months those who received piperazine oestrone sulphate for the first six months showed a significant increase in alpha 1-antitrypsin and factor VIIR:AG. Oestrone piperazine sulphate appears to produce less marked changes in coagulation than oestrogen-containing oral contraceptives or conjugated equine oestrogens.