Estetrol for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Vasomotor Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women (E4Comfort II)

NCT ID: NCT04090957

Last Updated: 2025-12-26

Study Results

Results available

Outcome measurements, participant flow, baseline characteristics, and adverse events have been published for this study.

View full results

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

PHASE3

Total Enrollment

1015 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2019-09-27

Study Completion Date

2022-08-18

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

A two-part study designed to evaluate the effect of Estetrol (E4) 15 mg, 20 mg, or placebo on the severity and frequency of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) in the Efficacy Study Part and the safety of E4 20 mg in the Safety Study Part.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

This is a two-part study:

Arm 1, 2, and 3: randomized, double blind

\- Efficacy Study Part: designed to evaluate the frequency and severity of vasomotor symptoms \[VMS\] in both hysterectomized and non hysterectomized postmenopausal participants after treatment with two doses of E4 (15 mg or 20 mg) or placebo for 12 consecutive weeks. Thereafter, treatment proceeded for a total duration of up to 53 weeks, to continue the evaluation of secondary efficacy (effect on hemostasis, lipid and glucose metabolism, bone turnover, health-related quality of life \[HRQoL\] and treatment satisfaction \[TS\]), safety and the effect on the endometrium. For endometrial protection, all non-hysterectomized subjects received 200 mg progesterone (P4) once daily for 14 consecutive days, after completion of the E4/placebo treatment.

Arm 4: open label

\- Safety Study Part: designed to evaluate the general safety, secondary efficacy (lipid and glucose metabolism, HRQoL and TS) after treatment with E4 20 mg for up to 53 weeks in hysterectomized and non hysterectomized postmenopausal participants. For endometrial protection, all non-hysterectomized subjects received 200 mg progesterone (P4) once daily for 14 consecutive days, after completion of the E4 treatment.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Vasomotor Symptoms Menopausal Symptoms

Keywords

Explore important study keywords that can help with search, categorization, and topic discovery.

Estetrol Hot Flushes Vasomotor symptoms

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

For the Efficacy study part, there are 3 blinded arms (randomized) and for the Safety study part, there is 1 open-label (non-randomized) arm.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

QUADRUPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors
There are 3 blinded arms in the Efficacy part and 1 open-labeled arm in the Safety part.

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Estetrol 15 mg - Efficacy Study Part

Estetrol (E4) 15 mg, administered orally once daily for up to 53 weeks.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Estetrol oral tablet

Intervention Type DRUG

Estetrol oral tablet, administered orally once daily.

Estetrol 20 mg - Efficacy Study Part

Estetrol (E4) 20 mg, administered orally once daily for up to 53 weeks.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Estetrol oral tablet

Intervention Type DRUG

Estetrol oral tablet, administered orally once daily.

Placebo - Efficacy Study Part

Placebo, administered orally once daily for up to 53 weeks.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo oral tablet

Intervention Type DRUG

Placebo oral tablet, administered orally once daily.

Estetrol 20 mg - Safety Study Part

Estetrol (E4) 20 mg, administered orally once daily for up to 53 weeks.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Estetrol oral tablet

Intervention Type DRUG

Estetrol oral tablet, administered orally once daily.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Estetrol oral tablet

Estetrol oral tablet, administered orally once daily.

Intervention Type DRUG

Placebo oral tablet

Placebo oral tablet, administered orally once daily.

Intervention Type DRUG

Other Intervention Names

Discover alternative or legacy names that may be used to describe the listed interventions across different sources.

E4 oral tablet

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

1. Signed and dated written informed consent form and any required privacy authorization prior to the initiation of any trial procedure, after the nature of the trial has been explained according to local regulatory requirements;
2. Females ≥ 40 up to ≤ 65 years of age at randomization/treatment allocation;
3. For hysterectomized subjects: documented hysterectomy must have occurred at least 6 weeks prior to the start of screening. Hysterectomy can be total or subtotal (i.e., cervix was not removed).
4. For non-hysterectomized subjects: uterus with bi-layer endometrial thickness ≤ 4 mm on transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS)
5. For non-hysterectomized subjects: endometrial biopsy taken during screening that reveals no abnormal result, i.e., presence of hyperplasia (simple or complex, with or without atypia), presence of carcinoma, and presence of disordered proliferative endometrium findings. The screening biopsy should have sufficient endometrial tissue for diagnosis. Biopsies without tissue or with insufficient tissue may be repeated once;
6. Seeking treatment for relief of VMS associated with menopause;

1. For the Efficacy Study part: at least 7 moderate to severe bothersome VMS per day or at least 50 moderate to severe bothersome VMS per week in the last 7 consecutive days during the Screening period;
2. For the Safety Study part: at least 1 moderate to severe VMS per week;
7. Body mass index ≥ 18.0 kg/m² up to ≤ 38.0 kg/m²;
8. A mammogram that shows no sign of significant disease performed during screening or within 9 months prior to the start of screening;
9. Post-menopausal status defined as any of the following:

1. For non-hysterectomized subjects:

Exclusion Criteria

* or at least 6 weeks postsurgical bilateral oophorectomy;
2. For hysterectomized subjects:

* or at least 6 weeks post-surgical bilateral oophorectomy;
10. Good physical and mental health, in the judgement of the Investigator as based on medical history, physical and gynecological examination, and clinical assessments performed prior to Visit 1;
11. Able to understand and comply with the protocol requirements, instructions, and protocol-stated restrictions;
12. Able and willing to complete trial daily diaries and questionnaires.


1. History of malignancy, with the exception of basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin if diagnosed more than 1 year prior to the Screening visit;
2. Any clinically significant findings found by the Investigator at the breast examination and/or on mammography suspicious of breast malignancy that would require additional clinical testing to rule out breast cancer (however, simple cysts confirmed by ultrasound are allowed);
3. Papanicolaou (PAP) test with atypical squamous cells undetermined significance (ASC-US) or higher (low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion \[LSIL\], atypical squamous cells- cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion \[HSIL\] \[ASC-H\], HSIL dysplastic or malignant cells) in sub-totally hysterectomized and non-hysterectomized subjects. Note: ASC-US is allowed if a reflex human papilloma virus (HPV) testing is performed and is negative for high risk oncogene HPV subtypes 16 and 18;
4. For non-hysterectomized subjects:

1. History or presence of uterine cancer, endometrial hyperplasia, or disordered proliferative endometrium;
2. Presence of endometrial polyp;
3. Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding or undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding;
4. Endometrial ablation;
5. Any uterine/endometrial abnormality that in the judgment of the investigator contraindicates the use of estrogen and/or progestin therapy. This includes presence or history of adenomyosis or significant myoma;
5. Systolic blood pressure (BP) higher than 130 mmHg, diastolic BP higher than 80 mmHg during screening;
6. History of venous or arterial thromboembolic disease (e.g., superficial or deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, etc.), or first-degree family history of venous thromboembolism (VTE);
7. History of known acquired of congenital coagulopathy or abnormal coagulation factors, including known thrombophilia's;
8. Laboratory values of fasting glucose above 125 mg/dL and/or glycated hemoglobin above 7%;
9. Dyslipoproteinaemia (LDL \>190 mg/dL and/or triglycerides \>300 mg/dL);
10. Subjects smoking \>15 cigarettes per day;
11. Presence or history of gallbladder disease, unless cholecystectomy has been performed;
12. Systemic lupus erythematosus;
13. Any malabsorption disorders including gastric bypass surgery;
14. History of acute liver disease in the preceding 12 months before the start of screening or presence or history of chronic or severe liver disease \[alanine transaminase (ALT) or aspartate transaminase (AST) \>2 x upper limit of normal (ULN), bilirubin \>1.5 ULN\], or liver tumors;
15. Chronic or current acute renal impairment (estimated glomerular filtration rate \<60 ml/min);
16. Porphyria;
17. Diagnosis or treatment of major psychiatric disorder (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc.) in the judgement of the Investigator;
18. Use of estrogen/progestin containing drug(s) up to:

1. 1 week before screening start for vaginal non-systemic hormonal products (rings, creams, gels);
2. 4 weeks before screening start for vaginal or transdermal estrogen or estrogen/progestin products;
3. 8 weeks before screening start for oral estrogen and/or progestin products and/or selective estrogen receptor modulator therapy;
4. 8 weeks before screening start for intrauterine progestin therapy;
5. 3 months before screening start for progestin implants or estrogen alone injectable drug therapy;
6. 6 months before screening start for estrogen pellet therapy or progestin injectable drug therapy;
19. Use of androgen/dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) containing drugs:

1. 8 weeks before screening start for oral, topical, vaginal or transdermal androgen;
2. 6 months before screening start for implantable or injectable androgen therapy;
20. Use of phytoestrogens or black cohosh for treatment of VMS up to 2 weeks before the start of screening;
21. For the women participating in the Efficacy Study part: use of prescription or over-the-counter products used for the treatment of VMS, e.g., anti-depressants: paroxetine, escitalopram, methyldopa, opioid and clonidine up to 4 weeks before the start of screening, and venlafaxine and desvenlafaxine up to 3 months before the start of screening , and not willing to stop these during their participation in the trial;
23. Inadequately treated hyperthyroidism with abnormal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free T4 at screening. Subjects with low or high TSH are allowed if free T4 at screening is within normal range;
24. History or presence of allergy/intolerance to the investigational product or drugs of this class or any component of it, or history of drug or other allergy that, in the opinion of the Investigator contraindicates subject participation;
25. For non-hysterectomized subjects: history or presence of allergy to peanuts;
26. History of alcohol or substance abuse (including marijuana, even if legally allowed) or dependence in the previous 12 months before the start of screening as determined by the Investigator, based on reported observations;
27. Sponsor or contract research organization (CRO) employees or employees under the direct supervision of the Investigator and/or involved directly in the trial;
28. Subjects with known or suspected history of a clinically significant systemic disease, unstable medical disorders, life-threatening disease or current malignancies that would pose a risk to the subject in the opinion of the Investigator;
29. Participation in another investigational drug clinical trial within 1 month (30 days) or having received an investigational drug within the last month (30 days) before the start of screening;
30. Is judged by the Investigator to be unsuitable for any reason.
Minimum Eligible Age

40 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

ICON Clinical Research

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role collaborator

Estetra

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Estetra

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Estetra

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Estetra Study Site

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Dothan, Alabama, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Tempe, Arizona, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Tucson, Arizona, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Tucson, Arizona, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Tucson, Arizona, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Tucson, Arizona, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Bellflower, California, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Canoga Park, California, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Chula Vista, California, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Huntington Beach, California, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

La Mesa, California, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Lincoln, California, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Los Angeles, California, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Pomona, California, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Sacramento, California, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

San Diego, California, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

San Diego, California, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Santa Ana, California, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Thousand Oaks, California, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

West Covina, California, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Denver, Colorado, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Crystal River, Florida, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Jacksonville, Florida, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Jacksonville, Florida, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Miami, Florida, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Miami, Florida, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Miami, Florida, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Miami Lakes, Florida, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

New Port Richey, Florida, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Ocoee, Florida, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Orlando, Florida, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Sarasota, Florida, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

West Palm Beach, Florida, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Morrow, Georgia, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Sandy Springs, Georgia, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Savannah, Georgia, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Idaho Falls, Idaho, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Meridian, Idaho, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Evansville, Indiana, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Marrero, Louisiana, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Saginaw, Michigan, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Saginaw, Michigan, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Rochester, Minnesota, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

St Louis, Missouri, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Lincoln, Nebraska, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Norfolk, Nebraska, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

New York, New York, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Columbus, North Carolina, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Hickory, North Carolina, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

New Bern, North Carolina, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Rocky Mount, North Carolina, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Fairfield, Ohio, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Erie, Pennsylvania, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Bluffton, South Carolina, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Columbia, South Carolina, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

North Charleston, South Carolina, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Jefferson City, Tennessee, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Dallas, Texas, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Fort Worth, Texas, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Fort Worth, Texas, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Georgetown, Texas, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Houston, Texas, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Houston, Texas, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Houston, Texas, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Houston, Texas, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Houston, Texas, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Houston, Texas, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

McAllen, Texas, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

McAllen, Texas, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Pearland, Texas, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Plano, Texas, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

San Antonio, Texas, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Draper, Utah, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Pleasant Grove, Utah, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

West Jordan, Utah, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Charlottesville, Virginia, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Norfolk, Virginia, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Bellevue, Washington, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Seattle, Washington, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Morgantown, West Virginia, United States

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Brampton, , Canada

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Québec, , Canada

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Québec, , Canada

Site Status

Estetra Study Site

Waterloo, , Canada

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

United States Canada

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Panay N, Simoncini T, Taziaux M, Bouchard C, Black A, Kapoor E, Utian W, Foidart JM, Lobo RA. Estetrol for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women: The design of the E4COMFORT I and II trials. Maturitas. 2025 Nov 17;204:108781. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108781. Online ahead of print.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 41289787 (View on PubMed)

Provided Documents

Download supplemental materials such as informed consent forms, study protocols, or participant manuals.

Document Type: Study Protocol

View Document

Document Type: Statistical Analysis Plan: Efficacy Study Part (ESP)

View Document

Document Type: Statistical Analysis Plan: Safety Study Part (SSP)

View Document

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

MIT-Do001-C302

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id