Study by vaginal cytology of ovarian function in pre-menopausal women.

In the pre-menopausal years, the ovarian secretion waxes and wanes until its cessation. In this study of women in the pre-menopausal period neither did the menstrual pattern prove to be a reliable criterion by which to judge the extent of oestrogen effect or deficiency nor was there correlation between serial colpocytology and endometrial histology, Hyperplasia of the endometrium was seen with different degrees of oestrogen status and in the menopause. Maximum cases of hyperplasia were seen in the irregularly menstruating group of women. It is therefore emphasized that before beginning oestrogen therapy, both colpocytology and endometrial histology should concur to establish oestrogen deficiency. A close watch should be kept on cases showing an endometrial hyperplasia.