Healthy uterus
myometrium
The myometrium is the muscular layer of the uterus. It plays an important role in pushing the baby out during childbirth.
endometrium
The myometrium is the innermost layer of the uterus. Its thickness and structure are largely dependent on hormone levels. It prepares the uterus for implantation and helps maintain baby during pregnancy.
uterus
The uterus is a pear-shaped organ that is important in the female reproductive system. This is where baby develops and grows, and is also known as the womb.
diseased uterus
preterm labor
Preterm labor is labor occurring between 20 - 37 weeks gestation. A major player in inducing preterm labor is fetal inflammation.
endometriosis
Endometriosis is a disease where endometrial tissue grows outside of the endometrium. Since this extra-uterine endometrial tissue is still hormonally responsive, it grows and shrinks with the menstrual cycle and can cause abdominal pain.
preeclampsia
Preeclampsia (and eclampsia) is a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy. It can be life-threatening to both the mother and the baby and typically presents with protein in the urine.
uterus treatment
preterm labor -> myometrium
Progesterone stimulates the expression of genes in the myometrium which prevent contractions. This is why it can be used to treat early preterm labor.
endometriosis -> endometrium
The growth and contraction of extra-uterine endometrial tissue is largely the cause of abdominal pain. Inhibiting the menstral cycle with combined hormonal contraception (CHC: estrogen + progesterone) prevents this.
preeclampsia -> uterus
Hypertension is one of the dangerous symptoms of preeclampsia. This can be treated with labetalol, which decreases heart rate (beta 1/2 blocker), and vasodilates (alpha 1 antagonist).
