I S Fraser

Despite the importance of neuropilins (NRPs) in a number of processes that are altered in endometriosis, such as angiogenesis and neuronal guidance, these molecules have not been previously studied in the disease. Similarly, potent lymphang…

BACKGROUND: This double-blind trial investigated the efficacy and safety of estradiol valerate/dienogest (E(2)V/DNG) for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding without recognizable organic pathology. METHODS: Otherwise healthy women wit…

Mounting evidence suggests that immunological responses may be altered in endometriosis. The baboon (Papio anubis) is generally considered the best model of endometriosis pathogenesis. The objective of the current study was to investigate f…

Endometriosis is a common and puzzling gynaecological condition which shows a great deal of variability between women. It affects up to 15% of all women of reproductive age. There is a strong familial component, but the aetiology and pathog…

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of endometriosis currently requires a laparoscopy and this need probably contributes to the considerable average delay in diagnosis. We have reported the presence of nerve fibres in the functional layer of endometrium …

A 48-year-old, multiparous, female hybrid orang-utan (Pongo abelii/pygmaeus) was investigated after a 3-year history of irregular and excessively heavy menstrual bleeding. Opportunistic pelvic examinations over a 2.5-year period were non-di…

BACKGROUND: Abnormal bleeding is common in hormone therapy (HT) users. We aimed to determine how HT alters endometrial blood vessels and stromal factors known to regulate vascular growth and integrity. METHODS: Prospective observational st…

CONTEXT: Irregular bleeding is common in users of combined hormone therapy (HT) and often leads to invasive and expensive investigations to exclude underlying pathology. The mechanisms of HT-related bleeding are poorly understood. Endometri…

Adenomyosis is a poorly understood condition which has been called 'elusive' or 'enigmatic' because of the difficulty in diagnosis, the lack of agreement on definition, and also because of the vague and ill-defined pattern of symptoms which…

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a common gynaecological disease and is frequently associated with recurrent and serious pelvic pain such as dysmenorrhoea and dyspareunia, but the mechanisms by which these symptoms are generated are not well un…

BACKGROUND: Women using progestogen-only contraceptives are commonly troubled by irregular bleeding. Endometrial vessel breakdown and repair is thought to be locally regulated under the indirect influence of sex steroids. Most information a…

During the past 5 years, a number of important advances have been made in our understanding of the mechanisms of sex steroid-induced breakthrough bleeding (BTB). These observations suggest that superficial endometrial vascular fragility may…

Menstrual disturbances are one of the most common problems presenting to the gynaecologist. In order for the endometrium to bleed, vessels must break down. Disruption in the regulation of endometrial vascular growth and function has been fo…

Breakthrough bleeding is a common problem in postmenopausal women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and is often the single most important factor deterring women from continuing to use HRT, or from starting it in the first place. The…

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of lysosomal enzymes in excessively heavy menstruation by comparing women with menorrhagia due to dysfunctional bleeding or intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) use with those with normal m…

The endometrial-myometrial interface (EMI) is an important region of the human uterus, which has attracted little research attention. This mucosal-muscular interface has characteristic features when compared with other similar interfaces in…

Unscheduled disturbances of bleeding with long-acting progestogen-only methods continue to be a major social inconvenience, and the most common reason for premature discontinuation of use. The patterns of bleeding with different methods are…

The aim of this study was to develop an objective test for superficial endometrial vascular fragility at hysteroscopy, and to apply this test to women using Norplant((R)) for contraception and to women with ovulatory dysfunctional uterine b…

The use of progestogens without oestrogen is commonly associated with irregular menstrual bleeding. Oestrogens and progestogens are both thought to influence endometrial perfusion; changes in endometrial perfusion may contribute to vascular…

Recent studies have provided substantial evidence to highlight abnormalities in the structure of endometrial microvessels in users of progestogen-only contraception. Structural changes alone are unlikely to lead to breakthrough bleeding, bu…

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the subdermal levonorgestrel contraceptive implant Norplant on endometrial vascular density at different durations of exposure, and the relationship between endometrial histology, vascular dens…

Progestogen-only contraception is almost invariably associated with changes in menstrual bleeding patterns. Changes in the endometrial vasculature, and in particular an increase in vascular fragility, may contribute to this bleeding. In thi…

Progesterone plays a crucial role in the coordination of endometrial breakdown as well as in the determination and regulation of menstrual blood loss and endometrial transudation of fluid. Furthermore, long-term exposure of the endometrium …

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of a GnRH agonist, depot goserelin, and danazol as preoperative treatments before rollerball endometrial ablation. METHODS: We performed an open, randomized study of women with clinically convi…