Development of a novel means of drug administration to the female genital tract

Abstract

The treatment of menopausal symptoms by combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) utilises drug formulations whereby a progestii1 is added to the oestrogen component to decrease the risk of endometrial carcinoma prnduced by the oestrogen. However, administration of large doses of progestins can increase low density lipid cholesterol, as well as reduce some of the beneficial effects of oestrogens. Local administration of progestins to the uterus may allow a much smaller dose to be used reducing the antagonism produced by progestins on desired oestrogenic effects. The simplest way to administer drugs to the uterus is by inserting a device through the cervix, however, this procedure may be associated with bacterial contamination of the uterus leading to pelvic infection. This study has therefore set out to develop a device for the delivery of antimicrobial agents to the uterus to reduce microbial contamination associated with transcervical insertion, and also the delivery of progestins which could be used as an adjunct to oestrogen HRT by targeting the progestin locally to the endometrium.

Date of Award	1995
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Brighton