{"paper_id":"311f478c-d98d-415d-b1b5-a4e3bf38969f","body_text":"Abstract\nPurpose\nProgestins are successfully employed as treatment for endometriosis. Our study evaluates the effects of the etonogestrel (ENG) implant on pelvic pain, quality of life, and sexual function in women requiring long-term reversible contraception and presenting ovarian cysts of probable endometriotic origin.\nMethods\nWe enrolled 25 women asking for contraception with the ENG implant and presenting a cyst with the ultrasound features of an endometrioma and pain symptoms. Patients were interviewed on pain symptoms (dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, dyschezia, and dysuria) using a VAS score (0–10), on quality of life (QoL) using the Short Form-36 questionnaire, and on sexual activity using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire before inserting the implant (T0) and after 6 (T1) and 12 months (T2).\nResults\nWe found a significant decrease in dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia VAS scores comparing baseline scores to 6 and 12 months. After 12 months, the bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, and mental health domains of the QoL score were significantly improved. The total FSFI score results increased in comparison with baseline both at 6 and 12 months. In particular, we highlighted a significant improvement in desire, satisfaction, and pain domains already at 6 months; the arousal domain improved only after 12 months. Finally, mean diameters of endometrioma-like cysts were not changed after 12 months of treatment.\nConclusions\nEtonogestrel implants seem to be able to reduce pelvic pain, improve sexual function, and quality of life in patients with ovarian cysts suspected of endometriotic origin.\nSimilar content being viewed by others\nReferences\nVercellini P, Viganò P, Somigliana E, Fedele L (2014) Endometriosis: pathogenesis and treatment. Nat Rev Endocrinol 10:261–275. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2013.255\nNisolle M, Donnez J (1997) Peritoneal endometriosis, ovarian endometriosis, and adenomyotic nodules of the rectovaginal septum are three different entities. Fertil Steril 68:585–596. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0015-0282(97)00191-X\nLaganà AS, Vitale SG, Salmeri FM et al (2017) Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno: a novel, evidence-based, unifying theory for the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Med Hypotheses. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2017.03.032\nManiglio P, Ricciardi E, Laganà AS et al (2016) Epigenetic modifications of primordial reproductive tract: a common etiologic pathway for Mayer–Rokitansky–Kuster–Hauser Syndrome and endometriosis? Med Hypotheses. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2016.02.015\nRakhila H, Al-Akoum M, Bergeron ME et al (2016) Promotion of angiogenesis and proliferation cytokines patterns in peritoneal fluid from women with endometriosis. J Reprod Immunol 116:1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jri.2016.01.005\nVetvicka V, Laganà AS, Salmeri FM et al (2016) Regulation of apoptotic pathways during endometriosis: from the molecular basis to the future perspectives. Arch Gynecol Obstet. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-016-4195-6\nLaganà AS, Triolo O, Salmeri FM et al (2016) Natural Killer T cell subsets in eutopic and ectopic endometrium: a fresh look to a busy corner. Arch Gynecol Obstet. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-015-4004-7\nKoga K, Takamura M, Fujii T, Osuga Y (2015) Prevention of the recurrence of symptom and lesions after conservative surgery for endometriosis. Fertil Steril 104:793–801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.08.026\nCrosignani PG, Olive D, Bergqvist A, Luciano A (2006) Advances in the management of endometriosis: an update for clinicians. Hum Reprod Update 12:179–189. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmi049\nDunselman GAJ, Vermeulen N, Becker C et al (2014) ESHRE guideline: management of women with endometriosis. Hum Reprod 29:400–412. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/det457\nOlive DL, Pritts EA (2002) The treatment of endometriosis: a review of the evidence. Ann N Y Acad Sci 955:360–372\nVercellini P, Fedele L, Pietropaolo G et al (2003) Progestogens for endometriosis: forward to the past. Hum Reprod Update 9:387–396. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmg030\nVercellini P, Crosignani P, Somigliana E et al (2011) ’Waiting for Godot: a commonsense approach to the medical treatment of endometriosis. Hum Reprod 26:3–13. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deq302\nBerlanda N, Somigliana E, Viganò P, Vercellini P (2016) Safety of medical treatments for endometriosis. Expert Opin Drug Saf 15:21–30. https://doi.org/10.1517/14740338.2016.1121991\nMäkäräinen L, Van Beek A, Tuomivaara L et al (1998) Ovarian function during the use of a single contraceptive implant: implanon compared with Norplant. Fertil Steril 69:714–721. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0015-0282(98)00015-6\nBlumenthal PD, Gemzell-Danielsson K, Marintcheva-Petrova M (2008) Tolerability and clinical safety of Implanon®. Eur J Contracept Reprod Heal Care 13:29–36. https://doi.org/10.1080/13625180801960012\nYisa SB, Okenwa AA, Husemeyer RP (2005) Treatment of pelvic endometriosis with etonogestrel subdermal implant (Implanon®). J Fam Plan Reprod Heal Care 31:67–70. https://doi.org/10.1783/0000000052972799\nWalch K, Unfried G, Huber J et al (2009) Implanon® versus medroxyprogesterone acetate: effects on pain scores in patients with symptomatic endometriosis—a pilot study. Contraception 79:29–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2008.07.017\nRoyal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist (2006) Endometriosis, investigation and management. RCOG Green- top Guideline No. 24\nvon Elm E, Altman DG, Egger M et al (2008) The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies. J Clin Epidemiol 61:344–349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2007.11.008\nWare JE Jr, Kosinski M, Gandek B et al (1998) The factor structure of the SF-36 Health Survey in 10 countries: results from the IQOLA Project. International Quality of Life Assessment. J Clin Epidemiol 51:1159–1165\nNappi RE, Albani F, Vaccaro P et al (2008) Use of the Italian translation of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in routine gynecological practice. Gynecol Endocrinol 24:214–219. https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590801925596\nDi Carlo C, Guida M, De Rosa N et al (2015) Bleeding profile in users of an etonogestrel sub-dermal implant: effects of anthropometric variables. An observational uncontrolled preliminary study in Italian population. Gynecol Endocrinol 31:491–494. https://doi.org/10.3109/09513590.2015.1018163\nGezer A, Oral E (2015) Progestin therapy in endometriosis. Women’s Heal 11:643–652. https://doi.org/10.2217/whe.15.42\nVercellini P, Pietropaolo G, De Giorgi O et al (2005) Treatment of symptomatic rectovaginal endometriosis with an estrogen-progestogen combination versus low-dose norethindrone acetate. Fertil Steril 84:1375–1387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.03.083\nSchlaff WD, Carson SA, Luciano A et al (2006) Subcutaneous injection of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate compared with leuprolide acetate in the treatment of endometriosis-associated pain. Fertil Steril 85:314–325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.07.1315\nCrosignani PG, Luciano A, Ray A, Bergqvist A (2006) Subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate versus leuprolide acetate in the treatment of endometriosis-associated pain. Hum Reprod 21:248–256. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dei290\nStrowitzki T, Faustmann T, Gerlinger C, Seitz C (2010) Dienogest in the treatment of endometriosis-associated pelvic pain: a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 151:193–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2010.04.002\nHarada T, Momoeda M, Taketani Y et al (2009) Dienogest is as effective as intranasal buserelin acetate for the relief of pain symptoms associated with endometriosis-a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, controlled trial. Fertil Steril 91:675–681. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.12.080\nVercellini P, Bracco B, Mosconi P et al (2016) Norethindrone acetate or dienogest for the treatment of symptomatic endometriosis: a before and after study. Fertil Steril 105:734–743e3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.11.016\nBayoglu Tekin Y, Dilbaz B, Altinbas SK, Dilbaz S (2011) Postoperative medical treatment of chronic pelvic pain related to severe endometriosis: levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system versus gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue. Fertil Steril 95:492–496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.08.042\nYlänen K, Laatikainen T, Lähteenmäki P, Moo-Young AJ (2003) Subdermal progestin implant (Nestorone®) in the treatment of endometriosis: clinical response to various doses. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 82:167–172. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0412.2003.00054.x\nWenzl R, Van Beek A, Schnabel P, Huber J (1998) Pharmacokinetics of etonogestrel released from the contraceptive implant Implanon®. Contraception 58:283–288. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-7824(98)00110-3\nMeckstroth KR, Darney PD (2001) Implant contraception. Semin Reprod Med 19:339–354. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2001-18642\nVarma R, Mascarenhas L (2001) Endometrial effects of etonogestrel (Implanon) contraceptive implant. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 13:335–341. https://doi.org/10.1097/00001703-200106000-00015\nVan Den Bosch T, Donders GGG, Riphagen I et al (2002) Ultrasonographic features of the endometrium and the ovaries in women on etonogestrel implant. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 20:377–380. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-0705.2002.00816.x\nMansour D, Korver T, Marintcheva-Petrova M, Fraser IS (2008) The effects of Implanon on menstrual bleeding patterns. Eur J Contracept Reprod Heal Care 13:13–28. https://doi.org/10.1080/13625180801959931\nBazot M, Daraï E, Biau DJ et al (2011) Learning curve of transvaginal ultrasound for the diagnosis of endometriomas assessed by the cumulative summation test (LC-CUSUM). Fertil Steril 95:301–303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.08.033\nFunding\nThis study was not supported by any grant/fund.\nAuthor information\nAuthors and Affiliations\nContributions\nAS: manuscript writing. NR: data collection. PG: manuscript writing. MG: data collection. ASL: manuscript editing. CC: project supervision.\nCorresponding author\nEthics declarations\nConflict of interest\nThe authors have no proprietary, financial, professional, or other personal interest of any nature in any product, service, or company.\nEthical approval\nAll procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.\nInformed consent\nInformed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.\nRights and permissions\nAbout this article\nCite this article\nSansone, A., De Rosa, N., Giampaolino, P. et al. Effects of etonogestrel implant on quality of life, sexual function, and pelvic pain in women suffering from endometriosis: results from a multicenter, prospective, observational study. Arch Gynecol Obstet 298, 731–736 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-018-4851-0\nReceived:\nAccepted:\nPublished:\nVersion of record:\nIssue date:\nDOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-018-4851-0","source_license":"CC0","license_restricted":false}