Uterine development in patients with Turner syndrome: Relation to hormone replacement therapy and karyotype

Abstract

Our study aimed to assess uterine development in Turner syndrome patients and its relation to dose and type of estrogen therapy; and karyotype. Pelvic ultrasound was used to assess uterine size and shape, and ovarian volume in 40 Turner syndrome patients. Information on hormone replacement therapy was collected from patients ' notes. Among the 40 patients studied, 57.5 % started estrogen therapy and 30 % were taking progestins. Sixty-five per cent had immature uterus, 17.5 % had fully mature uterus and 17.5 % had transitional uterus. Uterine volume was associated with age (p < 0.001), height (p = 0.002), weight (p = 0.001), years of estrogen use (p < 0.001), estrogen dose (p = 0.016), current estrogen use (p = 0.001) and Tanner breast stage (p < 0.001). Uterine volume was not affected by the type of estrogen used (p = 0.40) and karyotype (p = 0.40). Patients with Turner syndrome treated with estrogen (of adequate dose and duration) may attain a normal, mature uterine size and configuration, even at a late start of hormone replacement therapy and regardless of karyotype. © 2012 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston.