[Uterine leiomyomatosis in the female in late menopause]

Leiomyomatosis is less frequent in old woman, and its clinical and histological characteristic in late postmenopause are unknown. Uterine leiomyomas were confirmed histologically in 14 out of 69 patients (20.2%) who were 65 or older and in whom a vaginal hysterectomy was performed. Another group without myomas was paired by age to the study group. In both groups, the uterine volume and the minor diameter of the uterus were compared, as well as age at menarche, menopause and duration of the menstrual life. Statistical analysis was done with ANOVA. It was observed, as expected, that uterine volumes of women with leiomyomatosis were significantly greater (p < 0.01) than those of women that did not have myomas; however, the smaller uterine diameters were not significantly different between the two groups, which is an important finding for surgical treatment of these patients. In addition, the menstrual life of patients with myomas was significantly greater (p < 0.04) than that of women without leiomyomatosis. In conclusion, one fifth women 65 years old or older can present myomas and consequently an increase in uterine volume, but without increase in minor diameters. Furthermore, the greater menstrual life span must be recognized as possible risk factor for the presence of leiomyomatosis.