Postoperative depot medroxyprogesterone acetate versus continuous oral contraceptive pills in the treatment of endometriosis-associated pain: a randomized comparative trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM:

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of postoperative depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) versus postoperative continuous oral contraceptive (OC) pills in the treatment of endometriosis-associated pain.

METHODS:

After a conservative surgery, 84 patients with symptomatic endometriosis were randomized to receive either intramuscular DMPA (150 mg) every 12 weeks for 24 weeks or continuous OC pills (ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg and gestodene 0.075 mg) daily for 24 weeks. At weeks 12 and 24 of the treatment phase, patients rated their satisfaction with treatment and reported pain improvement and adverse effects.

RESULTS:

There was no significant difference in the percentages of patients who reported satisfaction between the DMPA group and the OC group at weeks 12 and 24 (92.9 vs. 90.5%, and 92.9 vs. 88.1%, respectively). The rates of withdrawal because of persistent pain or side effects in the two groups were similar. Pain scores improved significantly in both groups, but dysmenorrhea scores on a visual analog scale at week 24 were significantly higher in the OC group than in the DMPA group (p = 0.039).

CONCLUSION:

Both postoperative DMPA and postoperative OC pills for 24 weeks were found to be effective and acceptable options for treating endometriosis-associated pain.

• Authors: Sopon Cheewadhanaraks, Chainarong Choksuchat, Kriengsak Dhanaworavibul, Tippawan Liabsuetrakul
• Journal: Gynecologic and obstetric investigation (Gynecol Obstet Invest) Vol. 74 Issue 2 Pg. 151-6 ( 2012) ISSN: 1423-002X [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 22722530 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• Contraceptives, Oral
• Delayed-Action Preparations
• Norpregnenes
• Gestodene
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• Medroxyprogesterone Acetate

Topics

• Adult
• Analgesia (methods)
• Contraceptives, Oral (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Delayed-Action Preparations
• Endometriosis (drug therapy, physiopathology, surgery)
• Ethinyl Estradiol (administration & dosage)
• Female
• Humans
• Injections, Intramuscular
• Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Norpregnenes (administration & dosage)
• Pain Measurement
• Postoperative Care
• Treatment Outcome