Permanent alterations induced in plasma prolactin and estrogen receptor concentration in benign and malignant tissue of women who started oral contraceptive use at an early age

• In 65 young women undergoing curettage for benign utrine disorders a signicicant relationship was found between early oral contraceptive use (starting age<25 years) and a high ratio of ln plasma prolactin versus ln estrogen receptor concentration of the uterine mucosae (p<0.047, Mann-Whitneys U-test). Year of birth, age at menarche, age at first full term pregnancy, parity, menstrual cycle phase and duration of oral contraceptive use could not explain the results. Because similar results have previously been found for breast cancer patients using plasma prolactin and breast tumour estrogen receptor concentration, the findings indicate that early oral contraceptive use permanently alters plasma prolactin levels and estrogen receptor concentration, both in benign uterine tissue and in malignant breast tumours.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Cancer och onkologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cancer and Oncology (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)