Cytologic evaluation of the effect of various estrogens given in postmenopause.

The cytologic evaluations of the hormonal (mainly estrogenic) treatment of 263 postmenopausal women are presented. Though estriol has a considerably weaker action than estradiol derivatives (and especially ethinyl estradiol) it has to be recommended for the oral treatment of local changes due to atrophy since this steroid is effective at the vaginal level in doses three to five times smaller than those necessary to induce endometrial proliferation.