conjugated equine estrogens + progesterone + estradiol

CEE + progesterone + estradiol refers to the hormone therapy regimens evaluated in the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS), a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The study investigated two primary active arms: oral conjugated equine estrogens (CEE; Premarin) combined with cyclic micronized oral progesterone (Prometrium), and transdermal 17β-estradiol (Climara) also combined with cyclic micronized progesterone. These agents function as agonists for estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) and the progesterone receptor (PR). The trial specifically aimed to determine if early initiation of hormone therapy (within 3 years of menopause) could slow the progression of atherosclerosis, as measured by carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and coronary artery calcification (CAC). While the treatments effectively managed menopausal symptoms and maintained bone mineral density, they did not significantly alter the rate of CIMT progression over a 4-year period.

Other names

CEE + progesterone + estradiolKEEPS hormone therapy