Correlation of fecundability and serum estradiol after danazol treatment in patients with advanced endometriosis

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between pregnancy incidence and the level of serum E2 during danazol therapy.DesignDanazol was given by 200 mg four times daily for 3 months. Serum E2 level was checked after completing the therapy, but before stopping medication. Patients then were advised to conceive at the appropriate time over a 6-month period.SettingReproductive and Endocrine Laboratory of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.PatientsInfertile women with invasive endometriosis receiving conservative surgery and danazol treatment.InterventionsSerum E2 is checked before medication and at the end of danazol therapy, but before stopping medication.Main outcome measuresWhether pregnancy is related to the change of serum E2 caused by danazol therapy.ResultsThere were 24 pregnancies in 38 patients with invasive endometriosis after treatment. Pregnant patients had significantly lower serum E2 levels as compared with the nonpregnant patients.ConclusionsAfter conservative surgery for invasive endometriosis associated with infertility, the therapeutic period of danazol treatment could be shortened to 3 months. Because there is significant correlation of fecundability and serum E2 after danazol medication, serum E2 could be a guideline for predicting pregnancy or for prolonging or changing of treatment after danazol therapy.