Age at menopause of females with systemic sclerosis.

Clinical symptoms of menopause were recorded in 27 females with systemic sclerosis, mean age 53.5 years (range 22-68). Five had regular menstruation, and 22 were in the postmenopause, 2 with climacterium praecox. Mean age at menopause was 47.8 years (range 30-59) among the 22 females, and 49.3 years (range 40-59) among the 20 females with a normal climacterium. Eleven had physiological subjective symptoms of menopause. The 22 females had 34 living children, and 13 abortions. It is concluded that the menopause is normal in females with systemic sclerosis. This indicates that the ovaries are normally not involved in the disease.