A gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist versus a low-dose oral contraceptive for pelvic pain associated with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of goserelin versus a low-dose cyclic oral contraceptive (OC) in improving pelvic pain in women with endometriosis and to compare recurrence of symptoms during follow-up.


METHODS
Open-label, randomized trial.


METHODS
University hospital endometriosis center.


METHODS
Fifty-seven women with moderate or severe pelvic pain and laparoscopically diagnosed endometriosis.


METHODS
Six-month treatment with goserelin depot (n = 29) or a low-dose cyclic OC (n = 28) followed by 6-month follow-up.


METHODS
Variation in severity of symptoms during treatment and at the end of follow-up as shown by a linear analog scale and a verbal rating scale.


RESULTS
At 6 months of treatment, a significant reduction in deep dyspareunia was observed in both groups, with goserelin superior to the OC at linear analog scale assessment. Nonmenstrual pain was diminished on both scales without differences between treatments. Women taking the OC experienced a significant reduction in dysmenorrhea. At the end of follow-up, symptoms reappeared without differences in severity between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Low-dose cyclic OCs may be a valuable alternative for the treatment of dysmenorrhea and nonmenstrual pain associated with endometriosis. Symptoms recurred in most subjects 6 months after drug withdrawal.
Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica L. Mangagalli, University of Milan, Italy.
P
P
Vercellini
L
L
Trespidi
A
A
Colombo
N
N
Vendola
M
M
Marchini
P G
PG
Crosignani
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000188:drug therapy; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017273:Goserelin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012008:Recurrence
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D017273:Goserelin