The relationship between oestrogen status and bone loss in post-menopausal women.

The relationships between the rate of change of metacarpal cortical width, urinary hydroxyproline/creatinine ratio, net absorption of calcium and maturation value of vaginal smear have been examined in normal post-menopausal women and crush fracture cases. Rapid bone loss, high bone resorption and low calcium absorption are shown to be associated with poor oestrogen status, with crush fracture cases presenting an exaggerated view of the normal post-menopausal situation.