Steroid receptor expression in the vulvar vestibular mucosa — effects of oral contraceptives and menstrual cycle

BackgroundThe objective was to evaluate the influence of combined oral contraceptives (COC) and of the menstrual cycle on the steroid receptor expression in the vulvar vestibular mucosa of healthy women.Study DesignForty-five healthy women (20 with COC and 25 without) were included. Vestibular biopsies were obtained during the menstrual cycle. Estrogen receptors (ER) α and β, progesterone receptors (PR) A and B, glucocorticoid receptor and androgen receptor as well as the proliferation marker Ki67 were analyzed using immunohistochemistry followed by computerized image analysis.ResultsThe vestibular stromal tissue of women using COC expressed more ERβ (p=.024) than that of women without COC. In the follicular phase, PRB was more abundant in the stromal tissue than in the luteal phase (p=.01).ConclusionsERβ is more abundant in the vulvar vestibular mucosa of women using COC than in that of women without COC. There is a cyclic variation in PRB in the vestibular mucosa in healthy women without COC.