Estrogen receptor expression in vulvar vestibulitis syndrome.

Eva, Lois J; MacLean, Allan B; Reid, Wendy M N; Rolfe, Kerstin J; Perrett, Christopher W · Am J Obstet Gynecol · 2003

case_control · Level III

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Abstract

A pilot study was performed to investigate the relationship between vulvar vestibulitis syndrome and estrogen receptor expression. Women with a diagnosis of vulvar vestibulitis syndrome had tissue samples taken for vulvar estrogen receptor-alpha expression and this was compared with a control group. The study group showed a significant decrease in estrogen receptor expression, and 50% of the samples did not exhibit any receptor expression. There appears to be a subgroup of women with vulvar vestibulitis syndrome who exhibit abnormal estrogen receptor-alpha expression. This may be helpful in explaining why some women are resistant to medical treatment and may allow treatment to be prescribed more effectively.

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