Expression of estrogen receptors in the pelvic floor of pre- and post-menopausal women presenting pelvic organ prolapse

Abstract

The precise role of estrogen in the pathogenesis of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is still unclear, while the results concerning the effect of selective estrogen receptor modulators on pelvic organ prolapse are contradictory. Our aim was to test whether alteration in the expression of estrogen receptors in the pelvic floor of preand post-menopausal women is related to genital prolapse status. The mRNA levels of ERa and ERb in 60 biopsy specimens were measured. Significantly higher expression of ERa and higher ERa/ERb ratio were demonstrated in post-menopausal women compared to pre-menopausal women. Higher expression of ERa and higher ERa/ERb ratio were detected in all studied groups with POP, thus it did not reach significance in the post-menopausal group. Pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women presenting pelvic organ prolapse had no difference in the ERa expression. Our preliminary study may indicate that pelvic organ prolapse is associated with higher expression of ERa/ERb in the pelvic floor of both pre-and post-menopausal women; thus not reaching statistical significance in the post-menopausal women was probably due to the group's size. We believe that the inevitable changes in the estrogen receptor expression over women's different lifetimes may affect the risk of genital prolapse progression, and might contribute to the further search for appropriate selective estrogen receptor modulators as a treatment for women with pelvic organ prolapse. (Folia Histochemica et

Endocrine therapy and urogenital outcomes among women with a breast cancer diagnosis

“…Adult cancer survivors, including survivors of breast cancer, have been shown to be more likely to report urinary incontinence than those without a history of cancer [11]. Many breast cancer survivors may be faced with both age-related and potential endocrine therapy-related increases in pelvic floor disorders, including sexual dysfunction; however, limited data exist regarding these issues [12–15]. As the breast cancer survivor population continues to grow, addressing therapy side effects that contribute to health-related quality of life has become a key concern.…”

Aromatase expression is linked to estrogenic sensitivity of periurethral muscles in female rabbits

“…Morphometric and functional alterations in these muscles are related to the onset of gynaecological and urinary dysfunctions in women, some of them modelled in experimental animals . The variation in the expression of estrogen receptors (ER) in the lower urogenital tract has been associated with some pelvic dysfunctions . Estrogen replacement therapy is commonly prescribed for the treatment of pelvic dysfunctions; however, its efficacy is controversial .…”

“…[1][2][3][4] The variation in the expression of estrogen receptors (ER) in the lower urogenital tract has been associated with some pelvic dysfunctions. [4][5][6][7][8] Estrogen replacement therapy is commonly prescribed for the treatment of pelvic dysfunctions; however, its efficacy is controversial. 9 The effect of the estrogen administration on periurethral skeletal muscles has been previously approached, 6,8,10,11 although some issues regarding their estrogenic sensitivity remain to be addressed.…”

“…[4][5][6][7][8] Estrogen replacement therapy is commonly prescribed for the treatment of pelvic dysfunctions; however, its efficacy is controversial. 9 The effect of the estrogen administration on periurethral skeletal muscles has been previously approached, 6,8,10,11 although some issues regarding their estrogenic sensitivity remain to be addressed. Estrogens influence mass, contractile properties, damage/repair processes and the expression of ER in hindlimb skeletal muscles.…”

Expression of Extracellular Matrix-Remodeling Proteins Is Altered in Vaginal Tissue of Premenopausal Women With Severe Pelvic Organ Prolapse

“…[12][13][14] Therefore, the main goal of this case-control study was to investigate MMPs, ADAMTSs, and TIMPs changes in vaginal tissue of a homogenous group of premenopausal Caucasian patients with POP and asymptomatic control women. Since reproductive hormones can modulate the turnover of pelvic floor connective tissue, [15][16][17] we have controlled our study groups according to the stage of the menstrual cycle. We hypothesized that proteinase expression and activity would be altered in vaginal tissue of younger women with POP when compared to age-matched asymptomatic control women.…”