Does the uterus produce hormones?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/14/2004 8:24:19 PM Eastern Standard Time,

terricecile@... writes:

> I think that the answer to your question is that no one knows for

> whether or not the uterus itself produces hormones.

Actually. . . it IS known that the uterus produces a hormone-- called

*prostacyclin*.

In Dr. H. 's book _A Gynecologist's Second Opinion_, he writes

prostacyclin " . . . is able to dilate blood vessels and permit more blood,

oxygen, and nutrition to reach the heart. Furthermore, prostacyclin prevents

blood from clotting, thus discouraging the blockage of blood vessels to the

heart

that can result in a heart attack. "

Don't expect your average doc to know this factoid. (And as all of us regular

readers on the list know, Dr. is NOT your " average doc. " )

For additional information about hysterectomy and prostacyclin, check out:

http://www.thehealthpages.com/articles/ar-hyste.html

Look under the second paragraph in the section " What are the side effects of

hysterectomy? " for reference to prostacyclin.

My own hem-onc doc guffawed patronizingly in my face when I brought up the

notion that the uterus produced hormones. Oh, and he also laughed, yes

laughed-- at me when I brought up the role of the uterus in sexual response and

orgasm.

Well, Doctor-- " who's got the laugh last now? " ---a musical question which

only prompts me to sing a few bars ....(ala Ella Fitzgerald) of that great

Gershwin tune....

" They all laughed at Columbus

When he said the world was round

They all laughed when Edison recorded sound

They all laughed at Wilbur and his brother

When they said that man could fly

For ho, ho, ho!

Who's got the last laugh?

Hee, hee, hee!

Let's at the past laugh

Ha, ha, ha!

Who's got the last laugh now? "

*********************************

Sincerely,

Finger snappin', toe-tappin', Ella Fitzgerald-lovin', prostacyclin-producing,

Roma