OESTROGENIC FUNCTION IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Abstract

Summary. Results are presented of a study of healthy European women who were more than 2 years beyond the menopause. In these subjects, oestrogenic function was assessed by cytological examination of vaginal smears and by estimation of the output of 'total oestrogens' in the urine. 'Oestrogenic activity', as assessed by maturation and karyopyknotic indices, could be detected in more than 75% of the women (which correlates with previously recorded data). In all subjects studied, the measured urinary oestrogen excretion was low, levels being well below the range normally encountered in women during their reproductive life. No correlation could be demonstrated between oestrogen excretion and age or cytological indices.