Role of Hormones in Common Benign Uterine Lesions: Endometrial Polyps, Leiomyomas, and Adenomyosis

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2020:1242:37-58. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-38474-6_3.

Abstract

Leiomyoma, adenomyosis, and endometrial polyps are benign uterine disorders which seem to develop in the context of hormonal imbalances, due to steroid hormones, estrogen and progesterone, in association with various factors ranging from genetic factors to modifiable lifestyle factors. A growing body of evidence suggests that those hormones and their receptors are key modulators in the genesis and the growth of those pathologic entities. Further studies are required to understand their involvement in the pathogenesis of those lesions and their link to other factors such as extracellular matrix components, growth factors, chemokines, cytokines, and tissue repair mechanisms.

Keywords: Adenomyosis; Endometrial polyp; Hysteroscopic resection; Leiomyoma; Myolysis; Myomectomy; Selective progesterone receptors modulators (SPRM); Tamoxifen; Uterine artery embolization (UAE).

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenomyosis / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Hormones / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Leiomyoma / metabolism*
  • Polyps / metabolism*
  • Uterus / metabolism*
  • Uterus / pathology*

Substances

  • Hormones