Current pharmacotherapy for endometriosis

Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy

Volumn 11, Issue 7, 2010, Pages 1123-1134

  Ferrero, Simone ^a   Remorgida, Valentino ^a   Venturini, Pier Luigi ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF GENOA   (Italy)

Author keywords

Aromatase inhibitors; Endometriosis; Medical treatment; Oral contraceptive; Progestin

Indexed keywords

ANASTROZOLE; BISPHOSPHONIC ACID DERIVATIVE; CONJUGATED ESTROGEN; CYPROTERONE ACETATE; DANAZOL; DESOGESTREL; DIENOGEST; DYDROGESTERONE; ESTRADIOL; ESTROGEN; ETHINYLESTRADIOL PLUS ETONOGESTREL; ETHINYLESTRADIOL PLUS NORELGESTROMIN; ETONOGESTREL; GESTAGEN; GESTRINONE; GONADORELIN DERIVATIVE; GOSERELIN; LETROZOLE; LEVONORGESTREL; LYNESTRENOL; MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE; MEGESTROL ACETATE; NONSTEROID ANTIINFLAMMATORY AGENT; NORETHISTERONE ACETATE; ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE AGENT; PLACEBO; PROGESTERONE; TIBOLONE; TRIPTORELIN; UNINDEXED DRUG;

ACNE; ADD ON THERAPY; ADJUVANT THERAPY; ANALGESIA; ARTHRALGIA; BLEEDING; BONE DENSITY; BREAST ATROPHY; BREAST TENDERNESS; COCHRANE LIBRARY; CONSTIPATION; DEPRESSION; DISEASE SEVERITY; DRUG EFFICACY; DRUG SAFETY; DRUG WITHDRAWAL; DYSMENORRHEA; DYSPAREUNIA; EMBASE; ENDOMETRIOSIS; FATIGUE; FOLLOW UP; GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOM; HAIR LOSS; HEADACHE; HIRSUTISM; HOT FLUSH; HUMAN; INSOMNIA; INTRAUTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICE; LIBIDO; LOW DRUG DOSE; MEDLINE; MOOD CHANGE; MUSCLE CRAMP; MYALGIA; OILY SKIN; OUTCOME ASSESSMENT; PAIN; PAIN ASSESSMENT; PELVIS PAIN SYNDROME; QUALITY OF LIFE; REVIEW; SEXUAL BEHAVIOR; SIDE EFFECT; THERAPY EFFECT; TREATMENT DURATION; TREATMENT RESPONSE; UTERUS BLEEDING; UTERUS SURGERY; VAGINAL DRYNESS; VOICE CHANGE; WEIGHT GAIN;

ANIMALS; ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AGENTS, NON-STEROIDAL; COMBINED MODALITY THERAPY; DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIP, DRUG; ENDOMETRIOSIS; FEMALE; HORMONES; HUMANS; PAIN; PATIENT SATISFACTION; RECURRENCE; SEVERITY OF ILLNESS INDEX; TIME FACTORS;

EID: 77951285573     PISSN: 14656566     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1517/14656561003685880     Document Type: Review

References (97)

1. Moen MH, Muus KM. Endometriosis in pregnant and non-pregnant women at tubal sterilization. Hum Reprod 1991;6:699-702
2. Matorras R, Rodiquez F, Pijoan JI, et al. Epidemiology of endometriosis in infertile women. Fertil Steril 1995;63:34-38
3. Gruppo italiano per lo studio dell'endometriosi. Prevalence and anatomical distribution of endometriosis in women with selected gynaecological conditions: results from a multicentric Italian study. Hum Reprod 1994;9:1158-1162
4. Kresch AJ, Seifer DB, Sachs LB, Barrese I. Laparoscopy in 100 women with chronic pelvic pain. Obstet Gynecol 1984;64:672-674 (Pubitemid 15205473)
5. Ford J, English J, Miles WA, Giannopoulos T. Pain, quality of life and complications following the radical resection of rectovaginal endometriosis. BJOG 2004;111:353-356 (Pubitemid 38446112)
6. Hughes E, Brown J, Collins JJ, et al. Ovulation suppression for endometriosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007;3:CD000155 (Pubitemid 351805594)
7. Allen C, Hopewell S, Prentice A, Gregory D. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain in women with endometriosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009;2:CD004753
8. Golan A, Dargenio R, Winston RM. The effect of treatment on experimentally produced endometrial peritoneal implants. Fertil Steril 1986;46:954-958 (Pubitemid 17187676)
9. Dargenio R, Corbucci MG, Lamanna MA, Garcea N. Indomethacin and fertility in experimental endometriosis. Acta Eur Fertil 1992;23:85-88
10. Dogan E, Saygili U, Posaci C, et al. Regression of endometrial explants in rats treated with the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor rofecoxib. Fertil Steril 2004;82:1115-1120 (Pubitemid 39335926)
11. Surrey ES. The role of progestins in treating the pain of endometriosis. J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2006;13:528-534
12. Bulun SE. Endometriosis. N Engl J Med 2009;360:268-279
13. Fedele L, Bianchi S, Marchini M, Di Nola G. Histological impact of medical therapy--clinical implications. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1995;102(Suppl 12):8-11
14. Roland M, Leisten D, Kane RJ. Endometriosis therapy with medroxyprogesterone acetate. Reprod Med 1976;17:249-252
15. Moghissi KS, Boyce CR. Management of endometriosis with oral medroxyprogesterone acetate. Obstet Gynecol 1976;47:265-267
16. Luciano AA, Turksoy RN, Carleo J. Evaluation of oral medroxyprogesterone acetate in the treatment of endometriosis. Obstet Gynecol 1988;72:323-327
17. Telimaa S, Puolakka J, Ronnberg L, Kauppila A. Placebo-controlled comparison of danazol and high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate in the treatment of endometriosis. Gynecol Endocrinol 1987;1:13-23
18. Telimaa S, Ronnberg L, Kauppila A. Placebo-controlled comparison of danazol and high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate in the treatment of endometriosis after conservative surgery. Gynecol Endocrinol 1987;1:363-371
19. Vercellini P, De Giorgi O, Oldani S, et al. Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate versus an oral contraceptive combined with very-low-dose danazol for long-term treatment of pelvic pain associated with endometriosis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1996;175:396-401 (Pubitemid 26390998)
20. Bergqvist A, Theorell T. Changes in quality of life after hormonal treatment of endometriosis. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2001;80:628-637 (Pubitemid 32631458)
21. Harrison RF, Barry-Kinsella C. Efficacy of medroxyprogesterone treatment in infertile women with endometriosis: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Fertil Steril 2000;74:24-30 (Pubitemid 30427268)
22. Crosignani PG, Luciano A, Ray A, Bergqvist A. Subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate versus leuprolide acetate in the treatment of endometriosis-associated pain. Hum Reprod 2006;21:248-256 (Pubitemid 41794318)
23. Schlaff WD, Carson SA, Luciano A, et al. Subcutaneous injection of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate compared with leuprolide acetate in the treatment of endometriosis-associated pain. Fertil Steril 2006;85:314-325 (Pubitemid 43170902)
24. Snaith L. The treatment of endometriosis by oral progestogens. Proc R Soc Med 1968;61:358-360
25. Muneyyirci-Delale O, Karacan M. Effect of norethindrone acetate in the treatment of symptomatic endometriosis. Int J Fertil Womens Med 1998;43:24-27 (Pubitemid 28117596)
26. Vercellini P, Pietropaolo G, De Giorgi O, et al. Treatment of symptomatic rectovaginal endometriosis with an estrogen-progestogen combination versus low-dose norethindrone acetate. Fertil Steril 2005;84:1375-1387 (Pubitemid 41571884)
27. Ferrero S, Camerini G, Seracchioli R, et al. Letrozole combined with norethisterone acetate compared with norethisterone acetate alone in the treatment of pain symptoms caused by endometriosis. Hum Reprod 2009;24:3033-3041
28. Ferrero S, Camerini G, Ragni N, et al. Norethisterone acetate in the treatment of colorectal endometriosis: a pilot study. Hum Reprod 2010;25:94-100
29. Vercellini P, De Giorgi O, Mosconi P, et al. Cyproterone acetate versus a continuous monophasic oral contraceptive in the treatment of recurrent pelvic pain after conservative surgery for symptomatic endometriosis. Fertil Steril 2002;77:52-61 (Pubitemid 34093893)
30. Shaw RW. Treatment of endometriosis. Lancet 1992;340:1267-1271
31. Thomas EJ, Cooke ID. Impact of gestrinone on the course of asymptomatic endometriosis. Br Med J 1987;294:272-274
32. Gestrinone Italian Study Group. Gestrinone versus a gonadotropin- releasing hormone agonist for the treatment of pelvic pain associated with endometriosis: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind study. Fertil Steril 1996;66:911-919
33. Timonen S, Johansson CJ. Endometriosis treated with lynestrenol. Ann Chir Gynaecol Fenn 1968;57:144-147
34. Regidor PA, Regidor M, Schmidt M, et al. Prospective randomized study comparing the GnRH-agonist leuprorelin acetate and the gestagen lynestrenol in the treatment of severe endometriosis. Gynecol Endocrinol 2001;15:202-209 (Pubitemid 32640926)
35. Schlaff WD, Dugoff L, Damewood MD, Rock JA. Megestrol acetate for treatment of endometriosis. Obstet Gynecol 1990;75:646-648 (Pubitemid 20110184)
36. Overton CE, Lindsay PC, Johal B, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of luteal phase dydrogesterone (Duphaston) in women with minimal to mild endometriosis. Fertil Steril 1994;62:701-707 (Pubitemid 24307560)
37. Cosson M, Querleu D, Donnez J, et al. Dienogest is as effective as triptorelin in the treatment of endometriosis after laparoscopic surgery: results of a prospective, multicenter, randomized study. Fertil Steril 2002;77:684-692 (Pubitemid 34275344)
38. Razzi S, Luisi S, Ferretti C, et al. Use of a progestogen only preparation containing desogestrel in the treatment of recurrent pelvic pain after conservative surgery for endometriosis. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2007;135:188-190 (Pubitemid 350181245)
39. Walch K, Unfried G, Huber J, et al. Implanon versus medroxyprogesterone acetate: effects on pain scores in patients with symptomatic endometriosis--a pilot study. Contraception 2009;79:29-34
40. Fedele L, Bianchi S, Zanconato G, et al. Use of a levonorgestrel- releasing intrauterine device in the treatment of rectovaginal endometriosis. Fertil Steril 2001;75:485-488 (Pubitemid 32175660)
41. Lockhat FB, Emembolu JO, Konje JC. The evaluation of the effectiveness of an intrauterine-administered progestogen (levonorgestrel) in the symptomatic treatment of endometriosis and in the staging of the disease. Hum Reprod 2004;19:179-184
42. Lockhat FB, Emembolu JO, Konje JC. The efficacy, side-effects and continuation rates in women with symptomatic endometriosis undergoing treatment with an intra-uterine administered progestogen (levonorgestrel): a 3 year follow-up. Hum Reprod 2005;20:789-793 (Pubitemid 40425510)
43. Vercellini P, Frontino G, De Giorgi O, et al. Comparison of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device versus expectant management after conservative surgery for symptomatic endometriosis: a pilot study. Fertil Steril 2003;80:305-309 (Pubitemid 36959787)
44. Vercellini P, Trespidi L, Colombo A, et al. A gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist versus a low-dose oral contraceptive for pelvic pain associated with endometriosis. Fertil Steril 1993;60:75-79 (Pubitemid 23198922)
45. Harada T, Momoeda M, Taketani Y, et al. Low-dose oral contraceptive pill for dysmenorrhea associated with endometriosis: a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial. Fertil Steril 2008;90:1583-1588
46. Vercellini P, Frontino G, De Giorgi O, et al. Continuous use of an oral contraceptive for endometriosis-associated recurrent dysmenorrhea that does not respond to a cyclic pill regimen. Fertil Steril 2003;80:560-563 (Pubitemid 37102866)
47. Killick S, Eyong E, Elstein M. Ovarian follicular development in oral contraceptive cycles. Fertil Steril 1987;48:409-413 (Pubitemid 17139985)
48. Seracchioli R, Mabrouk M, Frascà C, et al. Long-term oral contraceptive pills and postoperative pain management after laparoscopic excision of ovarian endometrioma: a randomized controlled trial. Fertil Steril 2009: published online 13 May 2009, doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.03.083
49. Vercellini P, Somigliana E, Daguati R, et al. Postoperative oral contraceptive exposure and risk of endometrioma recurrence. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2008;198:504.e1-5
50. J Reprod Med 1973;10:197-199
51. Tummon IS, Pepping ME, Binor Z, et al. A randomized, prospective comparison of endocrine changes induced with intranasal leuprolide or danazol for treatment of endometriosis. Fertil Steril 1989;51:390-394 (Pubitemid 19083647)
52. Selak V, Farquhar C, Prentice A, Singla A. Danazol for pelvic pain associated with endometriosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007;4:CD000068 (Pubitemid 351805207)
53. Buttram VC Jr, Reiter RC, Ward S. Treatment of endometriosis with danazol: report of a 6-year prospective study. Fertil Steril 1985;43:353-360 (Pubitemid 15111119)
54. Vercellini P, Trespidi L, Panazza S, et al. Very low dose danazol for relief of endometriosis-associated pelvic pain: a pilot study. Fertil Steril 1994;62:1136-1142 (Pubitemid 24369776)
55. Ferrero S, Gillott DJ, Remorgida V, et al. GnRH analogue remarkably down-regulates inflammatory proteins in peritoneal fluid proteome of women with endometriosis. J Reprod Med 2009;54:223-231
56. Shaw RW. The role of GnRH analogues in the treatment of endometriosis. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1992;99(Suppl 7):9-12
57. Bergqvist A, Bergh T, Hogstrom L, et al. Effects of triptorelin versus placebo on the symptoms of endometriosis. Fertil Steril 1998;69:702-708 (Pubitemid 28188467)
58. The Nafarelin European Endometriosis Trial Group (NEET). Nafarelin for endometriosis: a large-scale, danazol-controlled trial of efficacy and safety, with 1-year follow-up. Fertil Steril 1992;57:514-522
59. Rock JA, Truglia JA, Caplan RJ. Zoladex (goserelin acetate implant) in the treatment of endometriosis: a randomized comparison with danazol. The Zoladex Endometriosis Study Group. Obstet Gynecol 1993;82:198-205
60. Prentice A, Deary AJ, Goldbeck-Wood S, et al. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues for pain associated with endometriosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;2:CD000346 (Pubitemid 30074536)
61. Bergqvist A, Theorell T. Changes in quality of life after hormonal treatment of endometriosis. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2001;80:628-637 (Pubitemid 32631458)
62. Petta CA, Ferriani RA, Abrao MS, et al. Randomized clinical trial of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system and a depot GnRH analogue for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain in women with endometriosis. Hum Reprod 2005;20:1993-1998
63. Davis L, Kennedy SS, Moore J, Prentice A. Modern combined oral contraceptives for pain associated with endometriosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007;3:CD001019 (Pubitemid 351805572)
64. Hornstein MD, Hemmings R, Yuzpe AA, Heinrichs WL. Use of nafarelin versus placebo after reductive laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis. Fertil Steril 1997;68:860-864 (Pubitemid 27506101)
65. Ferrero S, Abbamonte LH, Parisi M, et al. Dyspareunia and quality of sex life after laparoscopic excision of endometriosis and postoperative administration of triptorelin. Fertil Steril 2007;87:227-229 (Pubitemid 46013882)
66. Loverro G, Carriero C, Rossi AC, et al. A randomized study comparing triptorelin or expectant management following conservative laparoscopic surgery for symptomatic stage III-IV endometriosis. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2008;136:194-198 (Pubitemid 351173441)
67. Parazzini F, Di Cintio E, Chatenoud L, et al. Estroprogestin vs. gonadotrophin agonists plus estroprogestin in the treatment of endometriosis-related pelvic pain: a randomized trial. Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio dell'Endometriosi. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2000;88:11-14
68. Barbieri RL. Endometriosis and the estrogen threshold theory. Relation to surgical and medical treatment. J Reprod Med 1998;43:287-292
69. Franke HR, van de Weijer PH, Pennings TM, van der Mooren MJ. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist plus "add-back" hormone replacement therapy for treatment of endometriosis: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Fertil Steril 2000;74:534-539
70. Hornstein MD, Surrey ES, Weisberg GW, Casino LA. Leuprolide acetate depot and hormonal add-back in endometriosis: a 12-month study. Lupron Add-Back Study Group. Obstet Gynecol 1998;91:16-24
71. Sallam HN, Garcia-Velasco JA, Dias S, Arici A. Long-term pituitary down-regulation before in vitro fertilization (IVF) for women with endometriosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2006;1:CD004635
72. Ferrero S, Bogliolo S, Valenzano Menada M, et al. Diagnosis and management of bladder endometriosis. J Endometriosis 2009;1:113-121
73. Ferrero S, Camerini G, Ragni N, et al. Triptorelin improves intestinal symptoms among patients with colorectal endometriosis. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2009: published on line 26 November 2009, doi:10.1016/j.ijgo.2009.09.028
74. Miller JD. Quantification of endometriosis-associated pain and quality of life during the stimulatory phase of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;182:1483-1488
75. Hall LL, Malone JM, Ginsburg KA. Flare-up of endometriosis induced by gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist leading to bowel obstruction. Fertil Steril 1995;64:1204-1206
76. Saito S, Murakami T, Suzuki K, et al. Intestinal endometriosis complicated by ileal perforation after initiation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy. Fertil Steril 2007;88:969.e7-9 (Pubitemid 47498388)
77. Zeitoun KM, Bulun SE. Aromatase: a key molecule in the pathophysiology of endometriosis and a therapeutic target. Fertil Steril 1999;72:961-969
78. Takayama K, Zeitoun K, Gunby RT, et al. Treatment of severe postmenopausal endometriosis with an aromatase inhibitor. Fertil Steril 1998;69:709-713 (Pubitemid 28188468)
79. Ailawadi RK, Jobanputra S, Kataria M, et al. Treatment of endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain with letrozole and norethindrone acetate: a pilot study. Fertil Steril 2004;81:290-296 . (Pubitemid 38223905)
80. Shippen ER, West WJ Jr. Successful treatment of severe endometriosis in two premenopausal women with an aromatase inhibitor. Fertil Steril 2004;81:1395-1398 (Pubitemid 38609330)
81. Amsterdam LL, Gentry W, Jobanputra S, et al. Anastrazole and oral contraceptives: a novel treatment for endometriosis. Fertil Steril 2005;84:300-304 (Pubitemid 41125248)
82. Remorgida V, Abbamonte HL, Ragni N, et al. Letrozole and norethisterone acetate in rectovaginal endometriosis. Fertil Steril 2007;88:724-726 . (Pubitemid 47368251)
83. Remorgida V, Abbamonte LH, Ragni N, et al. Letrozole and desogestrel-only contraceptive pill for the treatment of stage IV endometriosis. Aust NZ J Obstet Gynaecol 2007;47:222-225 (Pubitemid 46909302)
84. Soysal S, Soysal ME, Ozer S, et al. The effects of post-surgical administration of goserelin plus anastrozole compared to goserelin alone in patients with severe endometriosis: a prospective randomized trial. Hum Reprod 2004;19:160-167 (Pubitemid 38072026)
85. Hefler LA, Grimm C, van Trotsenburg M, Nagele F. Role of the vaginally administered aromatase inhibitor anastrozole in women with rectovaginal endometriosis: a pilot study. Fertil Steril 2005;84:1033-1036 (Pubitemid 41414604)
86. Ferrero S, Venturini PL, Ragni N, et al. Pharmacological treatment of endometriosis: experience with aromatase inhibitors. Drugs 2009;69:943-952 .
87. Giudice LC, Kao LC. Endometriosis. Lancet 2004;364:1789-1799
88. Ferrero S, Abbamonte LH, Anserini P, et al. Future perspectives in the medical treatment of endometriosis. Obstet Gynecol Surv 2005;60:817-826 (Pubitemid 41698020)
89. Ferrero S, Ragni N, Remorgida V. Antiangiogenic therapies in endometriosis. Br J Pharmacol 2006;149:133-135 (Pubitemid 44360093)
90. Bruner KL, Matrisian LM, Rodgers WH, et al. Suppression of matrix metalloproteinases inhibits establishment of ectopic lesions by human endometrium in nude mice. J Clin Invest 1997;99:2851-2857
91. Nap AW, Dunselman GA, de Goeij AF, et al. Inhibiting MMP activity prevents the development of endometriosis in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane model. Hum Reprod 2004;19:2180-2187
92. Redwine DB. Conservative laparoscopic excision of endometriosis by sharp dissection: life table analysis of reoperation and persistent or recurrent disease. Fertil Steril 1991;56:628-634
93. Abbott JA, Hawe J, Clayton RD, Garry R. The effects and effectiveness of laparoscopic excision of endometriosis: a prospective study with 2-5 year follow-up. Hum Reprod 2003;18:1922-1927 (Pubitemid 37107569)
94. Vignali M, Bianchi S, Candiani M, et al. Surgical treatment of deep endometriosis and risk of recurrence. J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2005;12:508-513 (Pubitemid 41758425)
95. Ferrero S, Abbamonte LH, Giordano M, et al. Deep dyspareunia and sex life after laparoscopic excision of endometriosis. Hum Reprod 2007;22:1142-1148 (Pubitemid 40348566)
96. Jacobson TZ, Duffy JM, Barlow D, et al. Laparoscopic surgery for pelvic pain associated with endometriosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009;4:CD001300
97. Vercellini P, Crosignani PG, Abbiati A, et al. The effect of surgery for symptomatic endometriosis: the other side of the story. Hum Reprod Update 2009;15:177-188