[Treatment of endometriosis]

In a randomized study, the effect of gestrinone (2 x 2.5 mg/week) was compared with the effect of danazol (3 x 200 mg/day) in treating 30 patients with laparoscopically proven endometriotic implants for 6 months. Therapy was effective in 80%-90% of cases and pregnancy rates were similar, but the incidence of side effects was different in the groups. In addition, buserelin (900 micrograms/day intranasally) was investigated in a multinational, multicenter trial in 275 patients. In 80%, GnRH agonist treatment induced the disappearance or reduction of endometriotic implants. The main side effects were due to estrogenic suppression. Presently, various methods of hormonal treatment are under investigation, especially to determine recurrency rates of endometriosis and long-term side effects.