Treatment of endometriosis: a study of medical management

Abstract

Fifty patients with endometriosis were treated with hormones: 27 with danazol and 23 with Enavid (mestranol 75 micrograms and norethynodrel 5 mg). Side effects were more common and potentially more serious in the group treated with Enavid. Fewer women completed treatment with Enavid and their physical signs showed little improvement. Danazol was better tolerated and the results of treatment, as judged by improvement of symptoms or signs and in future fertility rates, were superior to those recorded in the Enavid treated group. Patients with large endometriotic cysts or severe fibrosis did not benefit from medical treatment. Danazol treatment appeared helpful for women who had mild or moderate endometriotic disease. It may be used alone or as a complimentary treatment after conservative surgical operations.

PIP: The results of treatment with the hormones danazol and Enovid were compared in 50 patients with endometriosis. The patients had presented with infertility, or with symptoms or signs of endometriosis. The diagnosis was confirmed either at laparotomy or laparoscopy. In the group treated with danazol, only 6 of the 27 patients needed a dose that exceeded 400 mg daily. Side effects were a significant problem. The side effects were both more common and potentially more serious in the group treated with Enovid. 7 of the 23 patients treated with Enovid failed to complete treatment because of side effects suggesting vascular or clotting dangers. Danazol was better tolerated and the treatment results, as judged by improvement of symptoms or signs and in future fertility rates, were superior to those recorded in the Enovid treated group. The patients with large endometriotic cysts or severe fibrosis failed to benefit from medical treatment. The danazol treatment appeared helpful for those women who had mild or moderate endometriotic disease. It maybe used either alone or as a complementary treatment following conservative surgical operations.