The serum levels of FSH, LH and estradiol-17 beta (E2) were determined in 110 women aged between 38-48 years who had been hysterectomized 2-10 years previously and were compared with a control group (n = 112). In hysterectomized women both FSH and LH levels were higher than in controls during the whole 12 year period. These differences were significant up to 43 years of age. The hypergonadotropism in hysterectomized women correlates with the higher incidence of climacteric symptoms reported in the literature.