The efficacy, side-effects and continuation rates in women with symptomatic endometriosis undergoing treatment with an intra-uterine administered progestogen (levonorgestrel): a 3 year follow-up

BACKGROUND: Side-effects and choice of drugs influence compliance during treatment for endometriosis. Progestogen administered by a device with a 5-year lifespan, has been shown to be an effective medical alternative with several advantages. The aims of this study were to investigate its efficacy, c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human reproduction (Oxford) 2005-03, Vol.20 (3), p.789-793
Main Authors: Lockhat, Farhana B., Emembolu, Joseph O., Konje, Justin C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
3 year follow-up
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Endometriosis
Endometriosis - complications
Endometriosis - drug therapy
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Humans
Intrauterine Devices, Medicated - adverse effects
levonorgestrel
Levonorgestrel - administration & dosage
Levonorgestrel - adverse effects
Levonorgestrel - therapeutic use
Medical sciences
Pain Measurement
Pelvic Pain - etiology
Pelvic Pain - physiopathology
Progestins - administration & dosage
Progestins - adverse effects
Progestins - therapeutic use
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:BACKGROUND: Side-effects and choice of drugs influence compliance during treatment for endometriosis. Progestogen administered by a device with a 5-year lifespan, has been shown to be an effective medical alternative with several advantages. The aims of this study were to investigate its efficacy, continuation rates and side-effects in women with endometriosis over a 3-year period. METHODS: Thirty-four women with laparoscopically confirmed minimal to moderate symptomatic endometriosis offered insertion of an intrauterine device at diagnostic laparoscopy were followed up at 1, 3 and 6 months, and then every 6 months for 3 years. A symptom diary for side-effects, documentation of symptoms on a visual analogue scale (VAS), a verbal rating scale (VRS) and quantified menstrual loss using the pictorial blood loss chart was used to assess response to treatment. RESULTS: The continuation rates were respectively 85%, 68%, 62% and 56% at, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months. Discontinuation rates were highest at
ISSN:0268-1161
1460-2350
DOI:10.1093/humrep/deh650