FIBROMYOMAS AND UTERINE CONTRACTIONS

Background. Women with uterine fibromyomas may suffer from dysmenorrhe a, menorrhagia or infertility, which all may be due to an effect of th e fibroids on uterine activity. The effect of myomectomy on uterine co ntractility is unknown. Methods. In women undergoing myomectomy becaus e of dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia or infertility intrauterine pressure wa s recorded before and three months after the operation on correspondin g days of the menstrual cycle. Records were obtained during spontaneou s uterine activity as well as after oxytocin and vasopressin challenge by intravenous bolus injections of 10 pmol/kg body weight. The area u nder the recording curve (AUC), maximal amplitude of uterine contracti ons and deformation index of uterine pressure recordings were measured . Results. In six women, in whom recordings could be obtained before a nd after operation on corresponding days of late follicular phase of t he menstrual cycle, the AUC and maximal amplitude of contractions incr eased after myomectomy. The effect of oxytocin injection also varied, whereas no difference was seen in effect of vasopressin. Conclusions: It is suggested that women with uterine fibromyomas may have disturbed uterine spontaneous contractions and responsiveness, which may be reg ulated by myomectomy.