Decreased Ratio of Total Progesterone to Total Estradiol Receptor Levels in Endometria of Women with Adult Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

Total estradiol and progesterone receptor levels (TRE2, TRP) were measured in endometria of women with adult dysfunctional uterine bleeding (n = 22) and compared to those of controls. The women in both groups were comparable with respect to age, history, light and electron microscopic endometrial morphology and dating; plasma levels of LH, FSH, estradiol and progesterone were similar in both groups. A wide range of TRE2 and TRP levels was measured in both groups; however, the levels of the ratio of TRP/TRE2 for each case were significantly lower in 18 of the 22 women with adult dysfunctional uterine bleeding and were in the range of the controls in the remaining 4. Possible explanations for these findings are presented.