Triptorelin for the treatment of endometriosis.
BACKGROUND
Over the past 30 years, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH-a) have been used to induce a hypoestrogenic status in women with endometriosis with the aim to cause an improvement in pain symptoms similar to that observed after menopause. Triptorelin is one of the most commonly used GnRH-a.


METHODS
This review offers an explanation of the mechanism of action, of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of triptorelin and gives the readers a complete overview of the studies on the clinical efficacy, tolerability and safety of this agent in patients with endometriosis.


CONCLUSIONS
The studies reviewed in the current manuscript demonstrate the efficacy of triptorelin in improving pain symptoms caused by endometriosis. Further, this effect is confirmed by the reduction in the volume of the endometriotic nodules during treatment. Future research should evaluate whether the pre-operative administration of triptorelin prior to surgical excision of endometriomas may be useful in preserving the ovarian reserve.
IRRCS San Raffaele Hospital and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , Via Olgettina 58-60, 20132, Milan , Italy.
Umberto
U
Leone Roberti Maggiore
Carolina
C
Scala
Valentino
V
Remorgida
Pier Luigi
PL
Venturini
Fabio
F
Del Deo
Marco
M
Torella
Nicola
N
Colacurci
Stefano
S
Salvatore
Stefano
S
Ferrari
Enrico
E
Papaleo
Massimo
M
Candiani
Simone
S
Ferrero
D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008186:Luteolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D008186:Luteolytic Agents; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate
efficacy; endometriosis; gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue; safety; triptorelin