In an open non-comparative prospective trial of 12 months' duration, we investigated the role of a novel hormone replacement therapy regimen in 40 post-menopausal women who sought hormone replacement therapy. The regimen consisted of continuous administration of 0.625 mg of conjugated equine estrogen coupled with a fixed low-dose of micronized oral progesterone administered for 23 days every calendar month. The regimen was well-tolerated, producing no major side-effects and was effective in relieving menopausal symptoms. The study showed that 40% of the women experienced side-effects and 20% withdrew from the study. Half of the 20% of the women who dropped out did so for reasons not related to treatment. All symptomatic women experienced improvement after the 1st month, and virtually all were asymptomatic by the 3rd month of treatment, persisting until the end of the trial with the average number of hot flushes per day declining from the pretreatment levels by 96%. Amenorrhea was observed in 47% of patients, amenorrhea and minimal vaginal bleeding in 78% but acyclic bleeding was present in 28% of those in whom bleeding was re-established. Endometrial atrophy was induced in the majority of patients and no atypical endometrial hyperplasia was encountered. No significant changes were observed in blood glucose or liver enzymes. The mean percentage changes from baseline for serum cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and LDL/HDL ratio were -6%, +32% (p < 0.001), -16% (p < 0.05), +15% (p < 0.05) and -23% (p < 0.05), respectively. The regimen was clinically effective and its apparent lack of major side-effects, the protective effect on the endometrium, the added advantage of minimal vaginal bleeding and the beneficial effect on lipid/lipoprotein levels, offer an attractive therapy and improved compliance with postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy.

We report a case of myomectomy and classical caesarean section through the posterior uterine wall necessitated by 180 degrees dextro-rotation of a gravid uterus with large fibroids. The non-specific clinical course and rarity of pathological torsion of the gravid uterus makes the preoperative diagnosis difficult. Ultrasound recognition antenatally of a fibroid changing its position should help with the prediction preoperatively of uterine rotation.

Medical management of interstitial ectopic pregnancy with high baseline beta-selective human chorionic gonadotrophin (bhCG) is controversial and there is no consensus on the best treatment option. Here we review the use of methotrexate (MTX) therapy for interstitial ectopic pregnancy, illustrated by three cases in which baseline serum b-hCG levels above 8000 IU/L were successfully managed by systemic MTX therapy. Primary MTX therapy appears to be a promising approach to managing interstitial pregnancy. It offers a safe and effective non-surgical method of treating selected patients even with a high concentration of baseline serum b-hCG. A randomized controlled trial comparing this regimen in interstitial pregnancy with high b-hCG with surgical management is required to substantiate the success and safety of this modality of treatment.

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