The ageing ovary

Studies on the endocrine function of the ageing ovary are briefly reviewed. In the perimenopausal years, follicular function can become defective, leading to variable and often shortened cycle length and frequent anovulation. In the postmenopausal period the ovarian stromal cells continue to secrete variable amounts of steroid, mainly androgens. The endocrine activity of the postmenopausal ovary is generally too low to cause clinical symptoms. Occasional cases of hirsutism and even virilization have been reported in postmenopausal women with non-neoplastic lesions of the ovary.