THE MECHANISM OF ESTRIN THERAPY IN THE RELIEF OF DYSMENORRHEA1

Abstract

In a patient with essential dysmenorrhea, a course of estrin therapy, if administered in accordance with certain specifications, will result in the absence of dysmenorrhea during the following but not during subsequent menses. To produce this result, the course of estrin therapy should be started about the 6th day of the cycle and should be of the order of magnitude of 1.5 mg. of estradiol benzoate intramusc. every 3 days for 6 injs. Such therapy prevents the formation of a secretory endometrium as demonstrated by endometrial biopsy presumably due to an inhibitory action of estrin on gonadotrophic hormones and hence on ovulation. Evidence indicates that essential dysmenorrhea cannot occur in the absence of a secretory endometrium.