Implanon versus medroxyprogesterone acetate: effects on pain scores in patients with symptomatic endometriosis--a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Implanon has been reported to be effective in the treatment of dysmenorrhea. We compared the therapeutic efficacies of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and Implanon with regard to pain relief in women with endometriosis.


METHODS
In a clinical research center at a university hospital, 41 patients with dysmenorrhea, nonmenstrual pelvic pain and dyspareunia associated with histologically proven endometriosis were included in an open, prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Twenty-one women were assigned by computer-generated randomization to receive Implanon, and 20 women to receive DMPA. As main outcome measures of this pilot study, we evaluated pain improvement quantified according to visual analog scale score, side effects, vaginal bleeding patterns, withdrawal rate and overall degree of satisfaction.


RESULTS
During a follow-up period of 1 year, we ascertained a clear improvement in pain intensity for both treatment options. After 6 months, the average decrease in pain was 68% in the Implanon group and 53% in the DMPA group. The side-effects profile and the overall degree of satisfaction after study termination were comparable for both treatment options.


CONCLUSIONS
Concerning pain relief, the therapeutic efficacy of the contraceptive implant Implanon is not inferior to that of DMPA in symptomatic endometriosis.
Walch
Katharina
K
Division of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Unfried
Gertrud
G
Huber
Johannes
J
Kurz
Christine
C
van Trotsenburg
Michael
M
Pernicka
Elisabeth
E
Wenzl
René
R
D000328:Adult; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; C044815:etonogestrel; D017135:Desogestrel; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate