Main description:

Three International Congresses on the Menopause have been held during the last five years, evidence of the explosive increase in the scient ific study of this subject. The first, held in La Grande Motte, near Montpellier, France, inJune 1976, was designed to provide a consensus on menopause research (van Keep et al., 1976). The second, held in Jerusalem, was planned to assess the developing research (van Keep et al., 1979). The objective of the third congress, convened inJune 1981 in Ostend, Belgium, under the auspices of the International Menopause Society, was to explore areas of controversy in basic understanding and in the therapeutic advances relating to the climacteric. The workshop moderators were selected because of their acknow ledged leadership in menopause research, and each was invited to arrange a workshop on a specific area of interest or concern. The moderators, whilst being given a free hand as far as the selection of invited speakers was concerned, were asked to allow plenty of time for open discussion. In particular, they were encouraged to stimulate debate about controversial issues.

Contents:

1 Gonadal function in the ageing male.- 2 The pre-menopause.- 3 Sociological aspects of mid-life.- 4 Some biochemical consequences of post-menopausal hormone replacement treatment.- 5 Psycho-sexual aspects of mid-life.- 6 The breast.- 7 Neuroendocrine changes in the peri-menopause.- 8 Hysterectomy.- 9 Androgens in post-menopausal women.- 10 The peri-menopause at the cellular level.- 11 Osteoporosis.- 12 Potency and hepato-cellular effects of oestrogens after oral, percutaneous, and subcutaneous administration.- 13 Progestins in the perl-menopause.- 14 Epidemiologic aspects of the benefits and risks of oestrogen therapy.- 15 Menopause clinics: purpose, function, and international comparisons.- Other communications.- Free communications.- Posters.