Ureteral dilation and hormones. A study of women taking oral contraceptives.

The possible relationship between hormones and the ureteral dilation of pregnant women was evaluated by studying 9 women using norethynodrel mestranol a 19-nor compound metabolized into estrogen and 3 women taking chlormadinone acetate-mestranol. Uretal diameter of each woman was measured radiographically at 3 points 5 cm from the uretopelvic junction midpoint and 5 cm from the uretovesical junction before and after 6 months of hormone therapy. Urinary excretion of pituitary gonadotropins as measured by the Albert bioassay was completely suppressed (with the norethynodrel-mestranol) or greatly reduced (chlormadinone acetate-mestranol). There was no significant uretal dilation in any of the 12 women studied discouraging belief in a relationship between the etiology of ureteral dilation and exogenous norethynodrel-mestranol or chlormadinone acetate-mestranol.