[The shrinkage of ovarian and uterine size and the decline of serum estradiol level in post-menopausal women].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the shrinkage of ovarian and uterine size, and the decline of serum estradiol (E2) level in normal women.


METHODS
Ovarian and uterine area of 92 perimenopausal and 292 postmenopausal women, measured by transvaginal ultrasonography, were analysed retrospectively and were compared with those of the controls consisting of 41 normal women in midfollicular phase, so did the serum E2 levels.


RESULTS
As compared with the control group, ovarian area and endometrium thickness shrunk on an average of 30%, 2% and 56%, 48% in early perimenopausal and postmenopausal groups respectively. Serum E2 level and uterine area increased by 11% and 38% in early perimenopausal group, but decreased by 67% and 21% in postmenopausal groups respectively. No obviously further decline of serum E2 level was found 1 year after menopause, and of ovarian, uterine area 3-5 years after menopause.


CONCLUSIONS
These data represent a normal profile of ovarian and uterine shrinkage and decline of serum E2 levels related to the time of menopause.
Lin
S
S
Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing.
Lin
P
P
Jiang
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology
D004958:Estradiol