Consider fertility-preserving medications when treating adenomyosis

In: Drugs & Therapy Perspectives · 2024 · vol. 40(9) , pp. 357–362 · doi:10.1007/s40267-024-01099-0 · W4401331326
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Adenomyosis, a common condition causing pelvic pain and bleeding, can be managed with fertility-preserving medications like LNG-IUS, dienogest, and GnRH agonists.

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This paper reviews fertility-preserving medication options for symptomatic adenomyosis in reproductive-aged women, focusing on medical management strategies such as the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), dienogest, oral contraceptives, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists. It summarizes that progestins (including LNG-IUS and dienogest) and GnRH agonists are commonly considered first- and second-line therapies for symptom control, while novel targeted treatments are described as being under investigation. A key caveat explicitly acknowledged is that emerging therapies with new targets require further investigation, implying uncertainty regarding their established role. This paper is centrally about endometriosis and specifically centers on adenomyosis — fertility-preserving medication strategies for adenomyosis management.

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Abstract

Adenomyosis is a common gynaecological condition that can cause pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding and adverse reproductive outcomes in reproductive-aged women. Hysterectomy remains the definitive treatment for adenomyosis. However, given the young age of patients at presentation, there is growing interest in fertility-preserving medical treatments. Medical management mainly involves the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), dienogest, oral contraceptives and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists. Progestins (LNG-IUS and dienogest) and GnRH agonists can be considered as first- and second- line therapies, respectively, to manage symptoms. Treatments with novel targets are being explored for adenomyosis, but these need further investigation. Similar content being viewed by others

References

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Rights and permissions Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law. About this article Cite this article Kim, E.S., Nie, T. Consider fertility-preserving medications when treating adenomyosis. Drugs Ther Perspect 40, 357–362 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-024-01099-0 Accepted: Published: Version of record: Issue date: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-024-01099-0

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