title: Hormonal treatment for endometriosis associated pelvic pain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endometriosis is a common gynecological problem associated with chronic pelvic pain.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of current hormonal treatments of endometriosis associated pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized Controlled studies identified from databases of Medline and Cochrane Systemic Review groups were pooled. 7 RCTs were recruited for evaluation in this review. Data from these studies were pooled and meta-analysis was performed in three comparison groups: 1) Progestogen versus GnRHa; 2) Implanon versus Progestogen (injection); 3) Combined oral contraceptive pills versus placebo and progestogen. Response to treatment was measured as a reduction in pain score. Pain improvement was defined as improvement ≥1 at the end of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between treatment groups of progestogen and GnRHa (RR: 0.036; CI:-0.030-0.102) for relieving endometriosis associated pelvic pain. Long acting progestogen (Implanon) and Mirena are not inferior to GnRHa and depot medroxy progesterone acetate (DMPA) (RR: 0.006; CI:-0.142-0.162). Combined oral contraceptive pills demonstrated effective treatment of relieving endometriosis associated pelvic pain when compared with placebo groups (RR:0.321CI-0.066-0.707). Progestogen was more effective than combined oral contraceptive pills in controlling dysmenorrhea (RR:-0.160; CI:-0.386-0.066), however, progestogen is associated with more side effects like spotting and bloating than the combined contraceptive pills.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combined oral contraceptive pills (COCP), GnRHa and progestogens are equally effective in relieving endometriosis associated pelvic pain. COCP and progestogens are relatively cheap and more suitable for long-term use as compared to GnRHa. Long-term RCT of medicated contraceptive devices like Mirena and Implanon are required to evaluate their long-term effects on relieving the endometriosis associated pelvic pain.
authors.affiliation: School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Wu Shun
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Felix Wong
authors.affiliation: South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Chi Eung
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Danforn Lim
keywords: Combined oral contraceptive pills; Endometriosis associated pelvic pain; GnRH; Medical treatments; Progestogen