Postoperative depot medroxyprogesterone acetate versus continuous oral contraceptive pills in the treatment of endometriosis-associated pain: a randomized comparative trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of postoperative depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) versus postoperative continuous oral contraceptive (OC) pills in the treatment of endometriosis-associated pain.


METHODS
After a conservative surgery, 84 patients with symptomatic endometriosis were randomized to receive either intramuscular DMPA (150 mg) every 12 weeks for 24 weeks or continuous OC pills (ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg and gestodene 0.075 mg) daily for 24 weeks. At weeks 12 and 24 of the treatment phase, patients rated their satisfaction with treatment and reported pain improvement and adverse effects.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the percentages of patients who reported satisfaction between the DMPA group and the OC group at weeks 12 and 24 (92.9 vs. 90.5%, and 92.9 vs. 88.1%, respectively). The rates of withdrawal because of persistent pain or side effects in the two groups were similar. Pain scores improved significantly in both groups, but dysmenorrhea scores on a visual analog scale at week 24 were significantly higher in the OC group than in the DMPA group (p = 0.039).


CONCLUSIONS
Both postoperative DMPA and postoperative OC pills for 24 weeks were found to be effective and acceptable options for treating endometriosis-associated pain.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand. csophon @ medicine.psu.ac.th
Sopon
S
Cheewadhanaraks
Chainarong
C
Choksuchat
Kriengsak
K
Dhanaworavibul
Tippawan
T
Liabsuetrakul
D000328:Adult; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011182:Postoperative Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D009652:Norpregnenes; C033273:Gestodene; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate