FURTHER CYTOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING OESTROGENIC ACTIVITY IN POST-MENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Abstract

ABSTRACT The occurrence of oestrogenic activity in cytological preparations of postmenopausal women in apparent health has been studied using urinary sediment smears. Postmenopausal oestrus is found to be associated with obesity, hypertension and probably also with decreased glucose tolerance. It seems to have a hereditary tendency in which body build is involved. The oestrogens causing the cytological effects are of adrenal origin. Some criticism is advanced against the hypothesis of Galli Mainini et al. (1956) and Castellanos & Sturgis (1958) as regards a cytological index specific of adrenal oestrogens. Some findings relevant to the genesis of endometrial carcinoma are discussed.