Effects of an extended-interval dosing regimen of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist in the treatment of adenomyosis

Objective To study the effects of an extended-interval dosing regimen of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist(GnRH-a) in the treatment of adenomyosis. Methods 20 patients with adenomyosis who asked for medicine treatment were divided into two groups randomly(n=10). The patients in the study group were given four doses of triptorelin depot 3. 75mg every 6 weeks in a new extended-interval dosing regimen. The other patients in the control group were given triptorelin 3.75mg in the conventional depot regimen of six doses,each given 4 weeks apart. The changes of degree of dysmenorrhea and the uterine volume were investigated. And the level of sexual hormone was also detected both before and after therapy.Results After six months of therapy,the reliving rate of dysmenorrheal was 100% both in the new regimen and the conventional regimen. The uterine volume was reduced at 46.7 % and 47. 5 % . And the level of LH, FSH and E2 were decreased significantly(P 0.01). The E2 level reduced to the postmenopausal level. The clinical effects in the study group were similar to those in the control group(P 0.05).Conclusion The use of the extended-interval dosing regimen of triptorelin depot in adenomyosis results in a consistent hypoestrogenised state,which is similar to that achieved by the conventional regimen. The new regimen thus reduces the cost of treatment obviously.