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NCT Number: NCT07754630

Analysis of the Hormonal Implant and Transdermal Estradiol Gel in Climacteric Women

An open-label, prospective clinical study will be conducted to monitor serum concentration and pharmacokinetic profiles following the subcutaneous implantation of six silicone hormone implants (delivering a total dose of 300 mg of estradiol) versus the use of transdermal estradiol gel (at a daily dose of 3.0 mg). Assessment of total serum estradiol concentration and determination of pharmacokinetic parameters will be performed in eligible participants before and after hormone implant insertion and transdermal estradiol gel use, at various sampling time points (within the first 24 hours, weekly during the first month, and monthly up to 6 full months). Additionally, the concentrations of other hormones influenced by estradiol activity (total testosterone, estrone, FSH, LH, SHBG, and prolactin) will be determined. Medical consultations for clinical assessment and participant follow-up will be conducted at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months. The primary outcome assessment will be performed 6 months after the crossover between hormone implant insertion and transdermal estradiol gel use.

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This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Age range

41 year–59 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

Nutrindo Ideais Research Center

Rio de Janeiro, 22421000, Brazil

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Women aged 41 to 59 years with climacteric symptoms, weighing 50 to 90 kg, with a BMI of 18.5 to 34.9 kg/m². Hysterectomy (with or without oophorectomy). Hypoestrogenism defined by a total serum estradiol concentration ≤ 50 pg/mL and a serum FSH concentration ≥ 25 mIU/mL. Absence of signs, symptoms, or clinical findings suggestive of breast cancer, as evidenced by a mammography report (for women > 40 years of age) dated within the last 12 months showing BI-RADS 1 or BI-RADS 2 classification. Agreement not to use other hormones (estrogens, androgens, and/or progestogens) or contraceptives in any pharmaceutical form during the study.

Exclusion criteria

Contraindications to the use of menopausal hormone therapy: vaginal bleeding of unknown cause; personal history of hormone-dependent neoplasia, including breast cancer or breast cancer precursor lesions; liver disease; porphyria; personal history of coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, or venous thromboembolism; systemic lupus erythematosus with high thromboembolic risk; and meningioma. Comorbidities associated with increased cardiovascular risk: smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, dyslipidemia, and uncontrolled hypertension. Severe chronic disorders, including metastatic malignancies, end-stage renal disease (with or without dialysis), clinically unstable heart disease, or any other disorder that, in the investigator's opinion, excludes the participant from the study. Immunocompromise or suspected/confirmed diagnosis of immunodeficiency based on history and/or physical or laboratory examination. Active liver disease or dysfunction. Benign or malignant liver tumors. Clinical diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome. Use of other hormones (estrogens, androgens, and/or progestogens) in any pharmaceutical form within the last month. Use of contraceptives. Current use of medications that alter cytochrome P450 activity and estrogen metabolism. Current use of tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, or GnRH agonists/antagonists for cancer or any other condition. Current use of phytoestrogens. Participation in another clinical study within 30 days prior to the start of study treatment. Patients who do not complete all study stages, who do not adhere to the intervention, or who experience an intercurrent event that interferes with the study outcome.

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Treatment and study plan

implantable estradiol

Drug

The assessment will include medical history, a physical examination, routine screening laboratory tests, a mammogram, and, when necessary, a transvaginal ultrasound. Each subject's body weight, height, and blood pressure will be recorded by an investigator. Subsequently, each of the 50 women will receive six (6) estradiol implants, each with a dose of 50 mg, totaling 300 mg (Elmeco, Salvador, Brazil). Each implant (40 mm in diameter) will be inserted subcutaneously into the buttock under local anesthesia. Following insertion, the patient will remain under observation at the clinic for the collection of multiple blood samples; these will be taken prior to the insertion of the Silastic implants and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hours post-insertion.

Patients will be instructed regarding their follow-up visits, which are scheduled for 24 hours, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, 28 days, 56 days, 84 days, 112 days, 140 days, and 168 days.

OESTROGEL - transdermal gel

Drug

Medical consultations for clinical assessment will be conducted, involving the completion of a questionnaire on menopausal symptoms and participant follow-up at baseline (t0) and at 1, 3, and 6 months. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) (Heinemann et al., 2004) will be used for the questionnaire. During all follow-up visits, volunteers will undergo a physical examination, including a breast exam; measurements of blood pressure, weight, body mass index (BMI), and hip and waist circumferences; and bioimpedance analysis.

PENTRAVAN - transdermal gel

Drug

Medical consultations for clinical assessment will be conducted, involving the completion of a questionnaire on menopausal symptoms and participant follow-up at baseline (t0) and at 1, 3, and 6 months. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) (Heinemann et al., 2004) will be used for the questionnaire. During all follow-up visits, volunteers will undergo a physical examination, including a breast exam; measurements of blood pressure, weight, body mass index (BMI), and hip and waist circumferences; and bioimpedance analysis.

Primary outcomes

  1. hormonal implant and PENTRAVAN transdermal gel pharmacokinetics

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 168 days

    Assessment of total serum estradiol concentration (silastic implant versus transdermal gel). Multiple blood samples will be collected at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24 hours; and at 7, 14, 21, 28, 56, 84, 112, 140, and 168 days, and will be analyzed using liquid chromatography (LC-MS/MS).

Secondary outcomes

  1. menopausal symptoms

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 168 days

    Assessment of menopausal symptoms and participant follow-up at baseline (T0), and after 1, 3, and 6 months. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) questionnaire will be used.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Nutrindo Ideais Research Center

Network

Registry information

Official study title

Comparison Between the Silastic Hormonal Implant and Transdermal Estradiol Gel in Climacteric Women: a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Acronym: ARESI

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2027
First posted
Aug 10, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 10, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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