Abstract
Objectives To describe changes in uterine and ovarian size and morphology as determined by ultrasonography from 2 years before to 2 years after menopause. Methods Twenty 50-year-old women with fairly regular vaginal bleeding at the start of the study underwent transvaginal ultrasound examination every 3 months until 12 months postmenopause, then every 6 months until 24 months postmenopause. The results are presented from 2 years before to 2 years after the menopause. Results In the 2 years preceding menopause all the women were in menopausal transition. From 2 years before to 2 years after menopause uterine anteroposterior diameter decreased by 22% (mean) and left and right ovarian volumes by 45 and 20% (median), respectively. At 2 years before the menopause the total number of intraovarian follicle-like cystic structures varied from 0 to S, at the menopause from 0 to 7, and at I and 2 years after the menopause from 0 to 4 and from 0 to 2, respectively. Premenopause, the most common finding was that of ovaries containing either no follicles or a few follicles with at least one measuring >= 11 mm and simultaneously a hyperechogenic endometrium of varying thickness and not manifesting any midline echo or triple-layer appearance. Images compatible with the late follicular phase were found in 6% (9/150) of examinations ('cycle day' 8-196) and images compatible with the luteal phase in 7% (10/150) ('cycle day' 11-56). Intraovarian cystic structures (3-25 mm) were seen in 14 women after the menopause. Conclusion We have described sonographic changes in the uterus and ovaries occurring during the transition from premenopause to postmenopause.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 210-217 |
Journal | Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2008 |
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging
Free keywords
- postmenopause
- perimenopause
- longitudinal study
- ovaries
- ultrasonography
- uterus