Surgery and the use of drugs provided reduced pain scores in patients with endometriosis but nevertheless exhibit disadvantages , such as risk of recurrence and side effects , respectively .
However , improved quality of life in these patients has been obtained with the use of conventional treatment
Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease characterized by sustained painful symptoms that are responsible for a decline in the quality of life of sufferers .
Conventional treatment includes surgical and pharmacological therapy aim ing at reducing painful symptoms .
This study aim ed to evaluate pain levels in women with endometriosis , focusing on the influence of conventional treatment in controlling this variable .
Treatment of endometriosis is , therefore , a challenge for gynecologists and patients , as they must select the best therapeutic approach for this disease .
Norethisterone acetate in the treatment of colorectal endometriosis: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND This pilot study evaluates the efficacy of norethisterone acetate in treating pain and gastrointestinal symptoms of women with colorectal endometriosis . METHODS This prospect i ve study included 40 women with colorectal endometriosis , who had pain and gastrointestinal symptoms . Patients received norethisterone acetate ( 2.5 mg/day ) for 12 months ; in case of breakthrough bleeding , the dose of norethisterone acetate was increased by 2.5 mg/day . The degree of patient satisfaction with treatment ( primary end-point ) and the changes in symptoms ( secondary end-point ) were evaluated . Side effects of treatment were recorded . RESULTS Norethisterone acetate determined a significant improvement in the intensity of chronic pelvic pain , deep dyspareunia , dyschezia . Treatment determined the disappearance of symptoms related to the menstrual cycle ( dysmenorrhea , constipation during the menstrual cycle , diarrhoea during the menstrual cycle and cyclical rectal bleeding ) . The severity of diarrhoea , intestinal cramping and passage of mucus significantly improved during treatment . On the contrary , the administration of norethisterone acetate did not determine a significant effect on constipation , abdominal bloating and feeling of incomplete evacuation after bowel movements . At the completion of treatment , 57 % of the patients with diarrhoea or diarrhoea during the menstrual cycle continued the treatment with norethisterone acetate compared with 17 % of the patients with constipation or constipation during the menstrual cycle . CONCLUSIONS In some patients with bowel endometriosis , the administration of norethisterone acetate may determine a relief of pain and gastrointestinal symptoms . This therapy has greater benefits in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms related to the menstrual cycle , diarrhoea and intestinal cramping
Surgery and the use of drugs provided reduced pain scores in patients with endometriosis but nevertheless exhibit disadvantages , such as risk of recurrence and side effects , respectively .
However , improved quality of life in these patients has been obtained with the use of conventional treatment
Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease characterized by sustained painful symptoms that are responsible for a decline in the quality of life of sufferers .
Conventional treatment includes surgical and pharmacological therapy aim ing at reducing painful symptoms .
This study aim ed to evaluate pain levels in women with endometriosis , focusing on the influence of conventional treatment in controlling this variable .
Treatment of endometriosis is , therefore , a challenge for gynecologists and patients , as they must select the best therapeutic approach for this disease .