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Sex Steroids and Endometriosis

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Endometriosis

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Abstract

Endometriosis develops mostly in women of reproductive age and regresses after menopause, suggesting that the growth of lesions is estrogen dependent. Estrogen metabolism differs considerably in women with a normal endometrium compared to those with estrogen-dependent uterine diseases, including endometriosis, adenomyosis, or fibromas. Altered expression patterns of estrogen receptor (ER)-α/ER-β, progesterone receptor (PR)-A/PR-B, and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD17B1)/type 2 (HSD17B2) in endometriotic tissue may upregulate aromatase and increase local estrogenic activity. Polymorphisms in ESR1, ESR2, PR, HSD17B1, 17α-hydroxylase (CYP17A1), and aromatase (CYP19) genes have been investigated putative associations with endometriosis susceptibility.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan

    Jo Kitawaki

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  1. Jo Kitawaki
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Correspondence to Jo Kitawaki .

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  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Tottori, Japan

    Tasuku Harada

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Kitawaki, J. (2014). Sex Steroids and Endometriosis. In: Harada, T. (eds) Endometriosis. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54421-0_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54421-0_10

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