[Progress on medical treatment in the management of adenomyosis]

Drug therapy plays an important role in alleviating the symptoms related to adenomyosis, improving the curative effect of surgery, delaying the progress of disease and promoting assisted reproduction. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the first choice to control pain associated with adenomyosis, and are the only choice for patients with recent fertility requirements; steroid hormones, gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists and mifepristone can effectively relieve pain and control uterine bleeding, among which oral contraceptives, levonorgestrel-releasing intranterine system (Mirena) and dienogest are more effective and commonly used in clinic. Drug selection should be based on patient's age, symptoms, uterine size, fertility requirements and economical conditions. At present, there is no specific drug for adenomyosis, and symptoms are easy to recur after drug withdrawal, so the long-term drug use needs further study.