Abstract
Corner 1 and Zuckerman 2 have reported recently that daily injection of a small amount of estrogen (ca. 30-60 units) into ovariectomized Macacus rhesus monkeys is associated with periodic menstruation-like bleeding which occurs during the period of treatment. Until then, the view was held generally that such bleeding depended upon estrogen-, or progesterone-withdrawal. There is no mention in the literature, however, of a result obtained in women comparable to that in the work of Corner and Zuckerman. The present note records such an observation.
This case is that of a woman, 38 years of age, who underwent bilateral ovariectomy and salpingectomy for cystic ovaries and meno-metrorrhagia. There was no infection, and the uterus was conserved in toto. The operation was performed on December 27, 1939, following a period of amenorrhea lasting for two years. This condition was terminated by persistent and excessive uterine bleeding following a course of injections of estrone and Antuitrin-S, in another clinic.
The patient came to the clinic at Greenpoint Hospital on February 21, 1940, for treatment of menopausal flushes. Five milligrams of estradiol-dipropionate (Di-Ovocylin, Ciba) were given twice weekly for 2 weeks, then once a week for 3 weeks. After this, 2 weeks elapsed between injections, and at the end of this time, on April 15, a period of uterine bleeding lasting 4 days took place. Pelvic examination showed the uterus to be normal in size, shape and consistency. At this point, a regular routine and constant dose of estrogen was instituted. It consisted of 2 mg of Di-Ovocylin given subcutaneously at intervals of 2 weeks, supplemented with one tablet (0.5 mg) of estradiol (Ovocylin, Ciba) per day. This routine was maintained without variation until September 14, 1940.
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