Physiology of the Endometrium and Regulation of Menstruation

The physiological functions of the uterine endometrium (uterine lining) are preparation for implantation, maintenance of pregnancy if implantation occurs, and menstruation in the absence of pregnancy. The endometrium thus plays a pivotal role in reproduction and continuation of our species. Menstruation is a steroid-regulated event, and there are alternatives for a progesterone-primed endometrium, i.e., pregnancy or menstruation. Progesterone withdrawal is the trigger for menstruation. The menstruating endometrium is a physiological example of an injured or "wounded" surface that is required to rapidly repair each month. The physiological events of menstruation and endometrial repair provide an accessible in…

• W
  Wellcome

  Award: 100646/Z/12/Z
• WO
  Wellbeing of Women

  Awards: RG1820, MR/N022556/1
• AO
  Academy of Medical Sciences

  Award: AMS-SGCL13
• T
  Tenovus
• UO
  University of Edinburgh
• MR
  Medical Research Council

  Awards: MR/J003611/1, G0600048, MR/J003611/1, G1002033, MR/N022556/1, G0500047, MR/N022556/1, G0000066