Action of Ovarian Follicle Hormone in Ovarian Insufficiency in Women as Indicated by Vaginal Smears. ∗

Abstract

The treatment of women with ovarian insufficiency by ovarian follicular hormone (OFH) has fallen short of the expectations aroused by its successful use in animals. It is possible that the amounts of hormone necessary to produce comparable changes in man are so large 1 as to be out of the question except for occasional brief studies in humans. 2 On the other hand the failures may have been due to the lack of objective criteria for estimating dosage and evaluating effects; or the choice of ineffective modes of administration.

The aim of this study was the development of an objective method for evaluating OFH action in ovarian insufficiency. The study of vaginal smears has been of great value in observing the effects of OFH in rodents and other mammals. Recent studies 3 have demonstrated a cycle in the vaginal fluid of the human comparable to that in animals. The applicability of the vaginal smear method to the study of the effects of OFH in the human is briefly described in this report.

Fifteen women with ovarian insufficiency, following either bilateral ovariectomy or the menopause, were observed over periods of several weeks to a year. After a control period to establish the character of the vaginal smear and the absence of OFH in the urine, treatment was begun. Smears were taken regularly over long periods and at varying intervals after administration of the hormone. The dose of OFH was adjusted from time to time until changes occurred in the smear. Subjective symptoms, such as hot flushes, headaches, nervousness, mental depression, and libido were also noted.