Apoptosis, cellular proliferation and expression of p53 in human uterine leiomyomas and myometrium during the menstrual cycle and after menopause

Abstract

Our findings indicate that sex steroids influence the growth of leiomyomas by stimulating cell proliferation rather than by affecting apoptosis. The rate of cell proliferation is higher in fertile age than after menopause and appears to be enhanced under the influence of progesterone.