Stilbestrol in the Treatment of Ovarian Deficiency

Abstract

A female sex hormone which possesses the properties of the follicular hormone, and which is orally active, highly potent and cheap is of interest to most clinicians. Diethylstilbestrol (stilbestrol) is such a substance. It was first described by Dodds^1,2 and his co-workers. It is one of several related synthetic substances derived from a stilbene nucleus. Its formula is 4:4′ – dihydroxy – a: β-diethylstilbene, bearing no relationship to the formula of any known natural estrogen.

Both experimentally and clinically it has been shown to possess many, if not all, of the properties of the natural estrogens. In addition to the form mentioned above, the dipropionate and the acetate have been used.

Stilbestrol in the several forms used clinically has been demonstrated to have the following properties:

1. The production of a follicular type of response in the genital tract of human beings and animals.

2. Inhibition of the excess production of gonadotropic hormone in castrates.³

3. Proliferation of the nipples and duct tissue of the breasts.⁴

4. Inhibition of lactation post-partum.⁵

5. Production of secondary sex characteristics in female hypogonadism.^{4, 6}

6. Regulation of some cases of menstrual arrhythmias.

7. Relief of various subjective symptoms attributable to ovarian deficiency, such as menopausal symptoms, premenstrual headache and nervous tension, and certain associated states of mental depression and chronic exhaustion.

8. It relieves senile vulvovaginitis and cures gonorrheal vaginitis in children.⁷

Stilbestrol is effective by mouth, by intramuscular injection in oil, in suppositories, and by implantation subcutaneously as pellets.⁸ The oral and intramuscular dosage. . .