A new method for the induction of therapeutic amenorrhea: Low dose endometrial afterloading irradiation. Clinical and hormonal studies

The authors present a new method for the induction of therapeutic amenorrhea: low dose endometrial afterloading irradiation. The problem with this method has been how to inactivate the endometrium while maintaining the physiological function of the ovaries. In 5 29 young patients regular or irregular bleedings occurred after an endometrial dose of 11 ± 1 Gy. These subjects were given a repeat low dose intrauterine irradiation. Thereafter no bleedings were found in four out of five patients. Two to 9 years after the repeat irradiation the plasma levels of E 2, E 2. FSH and LH corresponded closely to those of healthy women in reproductive age in three out of five patients; some high plasma P levels indicated ovulation. In two patients the E 1, E 2 and P values were more likely postmenopausal but, on the other hand, FSH and LH values reproductive ones. The endocrinological studies after one irradiation [5] and the medico-legal [15] and neuropsychiatric [17] aspects relevant to the method are presented elsewhere.