Menopausal Estrogen, Insulin Action, and the Timing Hypothesis

Estrogen therapy improved insulin-stimulated glucose uptake among women in early menopause but impaired this outcome in women >10 years past menopause.

Clinical trials (mostly involving oral estrogens) have shown that menopausal estrogen therapy lowers risk for type 2 diabetes. Does timing of therapy relative to menopause matter? Investigators assessed the effects of short-term, high-dose transdermal estradiol on insulin-mediated glucose disposal rate (GDR; a measure of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake) in 22 women <6 years after menopause (<6 group; mean age, 56; mean years past menopause, 3) compared with 24 women >10 years after menopause (>10 group; mean age, 63; mean years past menopause, 12). Mean BMI and baseline GDR were similar in both groups. GDR was assessed after 1 week of transdermal estradiol (3 patches releasing 0.05 mg daily) and after 1 week of matching placebo patches.

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Reviewing Authors

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

JoAnn Manson, MD, DrPH

Menopausal Estrogen, Insulin Action, and the Timing Hypothesis

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Reviewing Authors