[Evaluation of endometrial changes in women with cyclical mastalgia]

Cyclical mastalgia which almost 40% of women suffer from is caused by inadequate ovarian hormones secretion. There are reports regarding increased number of endometrial steroid receptors in this group of women. The possibility of higher risk of endometrial cancer development in these women is very probable. 119 women with cyclical mastalgia aged 16-55 (means age 35.4 years) were investigated. Anovulatory cycles occurred in 63%. Increased estrogen action in vaginal smears was found in 24.1%, also decreased progesterone effect had been seen in 20.3% of our cases. Serum estradiol levels were elevated in 10.6% and 39.1% of the patients had lower serum progesterone levels. Mean progesterone--estrogen luteal index value was decreased to 0.99. Irregular uterine bleedings occurred in 16.8 of women (aged 41-48 years). Histological endometrium examinations revealed changes due to insufficient progesterone action.