Pain of endometriosis: effects of nafarelin and danazol therapy

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of nafarelin acetate with danazol in the treatment of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and pelvic pain associated with endometriosis.

Design: Prospective, randomized double-blind controlled study. PATIENTS, SETTING, TREATMENTS: Two hundred thirteen patients aged 18 to 48 with laparoscopically confirmed pelvic endometriosis and dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia or pelvic pain were randomly assigned to 6 months of treatment with either nafarelin acetate 800 micrograms per day or 400 micrograms per day, or danazol 800 micrograms per day.

Main outcome measures: The percentage of patients with dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia or pelvic pain before treatment who still had these symptoms after 6 months of treatment and 6 months following completion of treatment. RESULTS [table: see text]

Conclusions: Nafarelin acetate and danazol both provided significant relief of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and pelvic pain during treatment and for 6 months following treatment in women with endometriosis.