Successful treatment of refractory endometriosis-related chronic pelvic pain with aromatase inhibitors in premenopausal patients

Alka Verma, Verma A, Justin C. Konje, Konje JC
European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology · 2009 · vol. 143(2) , pp. 112–115 · doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2008.12.002 · PMID:19233536 · W2082576784
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This study investigated the efficacy of aromatase inhibitors in treating refractory endometriosis-related chronic pelvic pain in premenopausal patients, reporting successful outcomes.

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Abstract

ObjectiveNot every patient with endometriosis responds to currently recommended conventional medical treatment regimens. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and side effects of aromatase inhibitors in the treatment of premenopausal patients with endometriosis associated with chronic pelvic pain refractory to conventional treatment.Study designFour premenopausal patients with documented refractory endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain were treated with aromatase inhibitors, either anastrazole (3) or letrozole (1), for 6 months. The treatment was combined with calcium 1.5 g per day and vitamin D 800 U per day. The main outcome measure was reduction in pelvic pain assessed by visual analogue scale. Side effects were documented and changes in serum LH, FSH and 17-beta estradiol and bone density (Dexa scan) were measured before, during and after treatment.ResultsThere was marked improvement in pelvic pain in the four patients. Their mean pain score fell from 9 prior to treatment to 4.5 at the end of treatment. One patient with infertility conceived immediately after completing the treatment. There were no changes in the hormone levels and bone scan scores. The most common side effect was irregular bleeding with anastrazole and joint pains with letrozole.ConclusionsAromatase inhibitors are beneficial in premenopausal women with chronic pelvic pain secondary to refractory endometriosis without compromising fertility and with minimal side effects. Further cohort and comparative studies are needed to confirm these observations.

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Condition tags

endometriosischronic_pelvic_pain

MeSH descriptors

Aromatase Inhibitors Endometriosis Nitriles Pelvic Pain Premenopause Triazoles Uterine Diseases Adult Anastrozole Aromatase Inhibitors Aromatase Inhibitors Chronic Disease Dose-Response Relationship, Drug Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Estradiol Estradiol Female Follicle Stimulating Hormone

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 (16)

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