Estrogen receptor expression in vulvar vestibulitis syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
A pilot study was performed to investigate the relationship between vulvar vestibulitis syndrome and estrogen receptor expression.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
The study group showed a significant decrease in estrogen receptor expression, and 50% of the samples did not exhibit any receptor expression.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Eva
Lois J
LJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal Free and University College Medical School (Royal Free Campus), London, United Kingdom.
MacLean
Allan B
AB
Reid
Wendy M N
WM
Rolfe
Kerstin J
KJ
Perrett
Christopher W
CW
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013577:Syndrome; D014847:Vulvitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism*
D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen