The morphologic response of the human endometrium to long-term treatment with progestational agents

The effects of progestational agents on the human endometrium are masked by the proliferating action of endogenous estrogens or by an estrogen compound used for oral contraception. It is therefore difficult to describe the morphology of the endometrial reaction caused by progestational agents alone. The endometria of 12 women were examined, 11 of whom were on a long-term, low-dose regimen of progestogens for contraception; the twelfth was on a short-term, high-dose regimen of injectable progestogen for adjuvant therapy of breast cancer. Endometria from the patients were evaluated with respect to the following parameters; gland mitoses, gland tortuosity, pseudostratification, basal vacuolation, signs of secretion, stromal edema, predecidual reaction, and leukocytic infiltration. The morphologic examination was performed with the light microscope using different stainings and with the scanning electron microscope.