[A histological and hormonal study of 399 women near the menopause or with confirmed menopause (author's transl)].

This work is concerned with 399 women who were either near the menopause or had had the menopause and on whom 476 hormone levels and 169 examinations of the endometrium had been carried out. It is possible to put the women into three groups. 13 p. 100 showed a diphasic cycle, with more or less normal ovarian function. Among the group of women whose cycle was not diphasic an appreciable number had normal oestrogenic activity, or were indeed hyperoestrogenic. The others were hypo-oestrogenic. Several facts can be derived from this study. Raised levels of E.2 can be found even when there is no cyclical activity and even in women who have raised levels of FSH. Normal ovarian function may be resumed several months after the menopause, although when the levels of FSH are raised the occurrence of the postmenopausal state would seem to be confirmed. The presence of hot flushes does not seem to correspond to a particular hormonal state. Marked differences seem to exist between the levels of the plasma hormones and the endometrial biopsy results. It is possible to have an atrophic endometrium with a raised level of oestradiol-17 beta, or on the other hand a polypoidal endometrium in women who are hypo-oestrogenic. The presence of levels of progesterone such as are found in a normal luteal phase does not indicate that the endometrium will necessarily be secretory. These contradictions cannot be resolved by studying the intra-cellular concentrations of the hormone receptors. The approach of the menopause is not always characterized by a progressive and continuous state of oestrogen deficiency or by hypophysial overactivity. This classical picture can be heavily shaded. All kinds of hormone profiles and responses by the receptor organs may be met and the clinician should be aware of these facts when he chooses therapy.