Lutein extract in the treatment of decreased menstruation and the premature menopause / Ellice McDonald, M.D., New York.

  • McDonald, Ellice, 1876-1955
Date:
[1910]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Lutein extract in the treatment of decreased menstruation and the premature menopause / Ellice McDonald, M.D., New York. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    physical changes and nervous alterations of the surgical menopause by the supply of an artificial internal secre¬ tion of the ovary unless, at the same time, a new uterus to menstruate can be supplied. But the study of this condition of surgical meno¬ pause, with its nervous and often psychopathic symp¬ toms, is one fraught with many pitfalls. Patients are often so influenced by any treatment that it is difficult to decide which is the help. Time cures the condition and the treatment often gets the credit. I have had patients benefited by Eddyism, osteopathy, cold baths and chromium sulphate. However, in my ten cases of surgical menopause, I cannot be sure that any patient was definitely helped except that one in whom the uterus was retained. Gellhorn17 has reported a somewhat similar case, in which menstruation, which had been absent for six months, reappeared after the adminis¬ tration of ovarian extract, and a regular flow ensued. Amongst the seven cases of scanty menses or prema¬ ture menopause, definite improvement resulted. In all cases there was an attempt at the same time to improve the nutrition. Three married women voluntarily stated that there was a definite increase in sexual desire. I did not question any in this regard. One patient, a woman over 45, with commencing menopause, has been under treatment for three years, with the result that the menses are still regular, and after she had been under treatment for eight months she conceived and miscarried. Her last child was born 18 years before this. She still continues the medication in the hope that she has discovered the fountain of youth. The greatest result in every case was obtained when treatment was begun early and when the treatment was given over at least two weeks of each month. A few patients complained of nausea after meals or in the morning during the treatment. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study, small though it be, ex¬ tending over five years, seems to indicate that the con¬ trol of the surgical menopause need not be sought in the corpora lutea. Its value is in cases in which the uterus and ovaries or uterus alone are retained. Par¬ ticularly is it valuable in the treatment of scanty men- 17. Gellhorn : Zentralbl. f. Gynak., Oct. 17, 1907.
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