Clinical effects of danazol on endometrial hyperplasia in menopausal and postmenopausal women

Much evidence has been suggested that cystic, adenomatous, and atypical hyperplasia as well as adenocarcinoma in situ of the endometrium may ultimately progress to invasive cancer. Consequently, these lesions should be considered to be precursors of endometrial cancer. Twelve postmenopausal and three perimenopausal women with vaginal bleeding due to endometrial hyperplasia received 400 mg/d of danazol orally for 3 months. After 15 to 30 days of continuous danazol therapy, the endometrial glands ceased to grow and became smaller and rounder. The lumina of glands were narrow and contained no secretion. The nucleic mitosis of the glands disappeared. All women showed regression of hyperplastic endometrium within 2 to 3 months of initial treatment. In the 15 cases treated, endometrial hyperplasia could be controlled successfully with danazol without further recurrence and/or progression of the disease. In summary, danazol should be an effective and safe alternative therapy to progesterone for the treatment of endometrial hyperplasia.