The effect of regular exercise on women receiving danazol for treatment of endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of regular exercise on women receiving danazol for the treatment of endometriosis.


METHODS
Thirty-nine patients were randomized to a danazol-only or a danazol/exercise regimen in a prospective clinical trial carried out at tertiary care institutions. Patients in the danazol/exercise group were instructed to exercise four times per week, for 40 min per session, at an intensity of 20 metabolic units. Side effect profiles, pelvic symptoms, aerobic fitness, strength and hormone levels were compared for all subjects. The number of side effects of danazol was analyzed by the method of generalized estimating equations.


RESULTS
The number of side effects reported during a 4-week period was 1.09-2.17 times greater for the danazol-only than for the danazol/exercise group. All patients had improvement of symptoms during treatment. The danazol/exercise group had significantly lower testosterone levels during treatment. The time to recurrence of endometriosis was not different between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Exercise during danazol therapy reduces the number of androgenic side effects. Relief of pain and time to recurrence are unaffected.
Carpenter
S E
SE
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Tjaden
B
B
Rock
J A
JA
Kimball
A
A
D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003613:Danazol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D012008:Recurrence; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D013739:Testosterone; D003613:Danazol