THE EFFICACY OF A NEWER ESTROGEN, TACE, AS REVEALED BY VAGINAL SMEARS

THE physiologic effect of most estrogenic substances administered orally is relatively brief. In the treatment and clinical management of certain syndromes of the climacteric, notably atrophic vaginitis-cystitis and osteoporosis, a long-acting estrogen would seem to offer definite advantages. The possible value of such a compound in helping the menopausal patient to adjust to her normal postmature state has been described by Bickers (1). Large single crystals, micro crystalline suspensions, and pellets have been employed to extend estrogenic activity following a single parenteral administration. However, these techniques require either incision and insertion of a pellet or hypodermic injection of the active hormone. To obviate these difficulties, a long-acting oral estrogen has been sought and a new synthetic estrogen, TACE,1 has been developed. The hormone is effective by mouth and because of its prolonged action, it has been termed an “oral implant.”