LOCALIZATION OF STEROID-HORMONE RECEPTORS IN THE PELVIC MUSCLES

After the menopause the pelvic floor becomes progressively weaker, one consequence of which is the increasing incidence of prolapse and urin ary incontinence. It is plausible that the reduction in estrogen level s postmenopausally is an etiological factor in these problems. For the pelvic floor muscles to be considered as target organs for estrogen, demonstration of the presence of estrogen receptors is required. The p resent study aims to confirm previous findings of estrogen and progest erone receptors in the levator ani muscle, and to further localize the m histologically. In seven women biopsies from the levator ani muscle were taken and analyzed immunohistologically with monoclonal antibodie s for estrogen and progesterone receptors. The receptors were detected in the nuclei of connective tissue cells and striated muscle cells. T hese findings provide a scientific basis for a possible beneficial eff ect of estrogen therapy, as a complement to other therapies, in prolap se and urinary incontinence.