Changes in endometrial blood vessels in the endometrium of women with hormone replacement therapy‐related irregular bleeding

• Published in: Human reproduction (Oxford) Vol. 18; no. 5; pp. 1100 - 1106
• Main Authors: Hickey, M., Pillai, G., Higham, J.M., Sullivan, M., Horncastle, D., Doherty, D., Stamp, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.05.2003; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Actins - metabolism; Atrophy; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Vessels - pathology; Case-Control Studies; Endometrium - blood supply; Endometrium - metabolism; Endometrium - pathology; Endothelium - pathology; Endothelium, Vascular - pathology; Estrogen Replacement Therapy - adverse effects; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Key words: bleeding/endometrium/HRT/smooth muscle α‐actin; Mammalian female genital system; Middle Aged; Morphology. Physiology; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular - metabolism; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle - metabolism; Uterine Hemorrhage - etiology; Uterine Hemorrhage - metabolism; Uterine Hemorrhage - pathology; Vertebrates: reproduction; bleeding/endometrium/HRT/smooth muscle α‐actin; Human; Replacement therapy; Menopause; Smooth muscle; bleeding/endometrium/HRT/smooth muscle α-actin; Hemorrhage; Uterus; Actin; Blood vessel; Female genital system; Female; Hormone replacement therapy; Circulatory system; Endometrium

BACKGROUND: Irregular bleeding affects up to 60% of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) users. The mechanism of this bleeding is not understood. Reduced endometrial microvascular integrity appears to underlie breakthrough bleeding in pre‐menopausal women and the aim of this study was to establish whet...