[The neurovegatative reaction-situation in climacteric. Modification of blood pressure regulation by estrogens]

48 women complaining of climacteric disorders were treated with an estrogen preparation for 1 year. Before an intervalls of 2 month during the treatment period studies of the Kupperman index, the vaginal karyopcnotic index and 3 neurovegatative (hemodynamic) tests were carried out: The orthostase-test according to Schellong, the cold-pressor-test according to Hines and Brown, the Pholedrin (Veritol-)test. During estrogen substitution the following alterations could be stated: A significant decrease of systolic and diastolic blood pressure values, a tendency of adjusting the systolic blood pressure values after standing up to the values in rest (Schellong-test I), a shortening of the interval needed to establish stable values of blood pressure and heart frequency, a tendency to reduce the increase of blood pressure in the cold pressor test, and a significant amplification of the increase of blood pressure and blood pressure amplitude in the Pholedrin test. These results are believed to indicate an alteration of vegetative reactivity in the parasympathicomimetic direction. Estrogens seem to exert a favourable influence on the mechanism of blood pressure regulation.