Non-linear bone loss in oophorectomized women.

Sequential bone loss in 37 women with bilateral oophorectomy was monitored by radiographic morphometry. The changes in mean width of the cortices of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th metacarpals of both hands were determined using a semiautomated computer-controlled morphometer. It was found that a significantly greater rate of decrease of mean cortical width occurred in those women first observed within three years of the artificial menopause than in the other members of the group.