Clinical efficacy of etonogestrel implants on relieving dysmenorrhea in endometriosis and adenomyosis women for up to 3 years

Abstract

Background: Dysmenorrhea and menstrual disorders caused by endometriosis (EM) and adenomyosis (AM) have significantly affected the quality of life of a large number of women. As a highly effective clinical contraceptive measure, etonogestrel implants have been previously reported to relieve dysmenorrhea. However, the dysmenorrhea treatment and menstrual regulation effects of etonogestrel implants in AM and EM patients have not been systematically studied.

Methods: This retrospective study followed up 100 patients with etonogestrel implants from May 2015 to October 2016, including 44 patients with EM and 56 patients with AM. The VAS scores of dysmenorrhea, menstrual volume, and related adverse events were measured at 12, 24, and 36 months after etonogestrel implantation in these patients.

Results: In 100 EM and AM patients, dysmenorrhea significantly improved, with moderate and severe cases decreasing from 50 to 16 and 0% at 36 months. Amenorrhea increased over time, and frequent bleeding declined. Adverse reactions included weight gain (21%), acne (13%), and decreased sexual desire (10%). Serum CA125 levels dropped, confirming therapeutic efficacy.

Conclusion: Etonogestrel implantation significantly alleviated dysmenorrhea symptoms in AM and EM patients.

Keywords: adenomyosis; dysmenorrhea; endometriosis; etonogestrel implants; women.

Figure 1

The flow chart diagram of this study.

Figure 2

Changes in visual analogue scale (VAS) scores (A) and serum cancer antigen 125 (CA125) (B) among women with Endometriosis and Adenomyosis who received etonogestrel implants for long-term reversible contraception. N = 78. p values were acquired from Friedman test followed by Dunn’s multiple comparisons test.