title: Current place of progestins in the treatment of endometriosis-related complaints.
abstract: Oral progestins have been used for the treatment of endometriosis and endometriosis-associated complaints for more than 40 years. The mechanism of action on the menstrual cycle is well understood; however, the mechanism of action on endometriosis is still a matter of debate. The different progestins are able to stop proliferation in endometriotic implants and to induce regressive change to certain degrees; they are not able to heal endometriosis because endometriosis is a chronic and recurrent disease. For this reason, no medical treatment can heal endometriosis and repeat medication is necessary in the medical management of this disease. Progestins--especially non-androgenic progestins--are well tolerated and have only few side-effects; they can be used repeatedly or continuously over a long period of time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ammerland Clinic GmbH, Academic Teaching Hospital of the University of Göttingen, Westerstede, Germany.
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Schweppe
mesh_terms: D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011372:Progestins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D011372:Progestins