British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology January 1979. VoI. 86. pp 56-63

PLASMA LEVELS OF OESTRONE AND OESTRADIOL-17P IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN BY

S. Z . A. BADAWY,Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology L. J. ELLIOTT, Resident in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

A. ELBADAWI, Associate Professor of Pathology and Urology AND

L. D. MARSHALL, Technical Specialist Reproductive Endocrinology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Department of Pathology, State University of New York Upstate Medical Centre, Syracuse, New York

Summary The plasma oestrone and oestradiol levels of 34 postmenopausal women were studied and related to various of their other characteristics. The plasma oestrone and oestradiol-17P levels (Mean+ SE) were, respectively, 32.09 k 4 . 6 pg/ml and 13.9 3 * 1 pg/ml. There was a highly significant negative linear association between the years elapsed since the menopause and oestrone levels (P < 0.001) and oestradiol leveIs (P ~ 0 . 0 2 ) .Both plasma oestrone and oestradiol levels were directly related to weight, but the relation was only significant for oestradiol. A significant positive correlation was found between vaginal bleeding and excess weight. The degree of oestrogenicity of the vaginal smear was directly related to the levels of oestrone (P