Novel pharmacological therapies for the treatment of endometriosis

Laura Buggio, Dhouha Dridi, Giussy Barbàra, Camilla Erminia Maria Merli, Camilla E M Merli, Giulia Emily Cetera, Paolo Vercellini
Expert review of clinical pharmacology · 2022 · vol. 15(9) , pp. 1039–1052 · doi:10.1080/17512433.2022.2117155 · PMID:36000243 · W4292869870
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-08 ⓘ

This review discusses novel pharmacological therapies for endometriosis, focusing on GnRH antagonists, SPRMs, and SERMs, and highlights GnRH antagonists as potential second-line options.

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent, inflammatory disease associated with pelvic pain, infertility, impaired sexual function, and psychological suffering. Therefore, tailored patient management appears of primary importance to address specific issues and identify the appropriate treatment for each woman. Over the years, abundant research has been carried out with the objective to find new therapeutic approaches for this multifaceted disease. AREAS COVERED: This narrative review aims to present the latest advances in the pharmacological management of endometriosis. In particular, the potential role of GnRH antagonists, selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRMs), and selective estrogen receptors modulators (SERMs) will be discussed. We performed a literature search in PubMed and Embase, and selected the best quality evidence, giving preference to the most recent and definitive original articles and reviews. EXPERT OPINION: Medical therapy represents the cornerstone of endometriosis management, although few advances have been made in the last decade. Most studies have focused on the evaluation of the efficacy and safety of GnRH antagonists (plus add-back therapy in cases of prolonged treatment), which should be used as second-line treatment options in selected cases (i.e. non-responders to first-line treatments). Further studies are needed to identify the ideal treatment for women with endometriosis.

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Condition tags

endometriosisinfertility

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (63)

Cited by (18)

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