Inhibitory Effects of Male Sex Hormone on Human Menstruation and Their Evaluation by Vaginal Smears.

A study is presented in which the administration of testosterone propionate interrupted regular menstrual cycles in a young woman. Menstruation was resumed after cessation of treatment with this hormone. Vaginal smears showed that during the period of induced amenorrhea there was a replacement of the normal smear picture by one of the typical atrophic menopausal type, indicating a temporary suppression of ovarian follicular activity. This smear type was preceded and followed by characteristic intermediate stages and persisted throughout the course of treatment, and for a short time afterward. It was then followed by gradual resumption of follicular activity and a normal smear picture. The next menses occurred 28 days after the last dose of Oreton and about 12 to 13 days after the establishment of follicular activity.