Nineteen post-menopausal womens were aleatoryly divided into two groups, in accordance to use of placebo (Group A - nine women) or hormonal treatment (Group B ten women) during a six months period. The groups were studied as to the number of opoptotic cells and to the expression of bcl-2 and p53 proteins in epidermis biopsies carried out before and after treatment. Identification of apoptotic cells was obtained by TUNEL assay. bcl-2 and p53 expression was studied by immunocytochemistry techniques, by using monoclonal antibodies. Groups were homogeneous as to age and race; however, Group B showed a significantly longer menopausal period. Results have pointed out that hormonal therapy during six months did not influence signicantly in the number of apoptotic cells in the epidermis of post-menopausal women. Negative reactions to bcl-2 and p53 expression were observed in all the cases.