01-06-2004 | Original Article
The effects of a 3-month depot preparation of leuprorelin acetate on pain symptoms, bone mineral density and hormone levels in women with endometriosis—preliminary data analysis
Published in: Gynecological Surgery | Issue 2/2004
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The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Prostap 3 M, a 3-month depot preparation of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist, in the relief of pelvic pain symptoms caused by endometriosis and to assess its effects on bone mineral density. A prospective cohort study was carried out at St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds, and included 13 women with laparoscopically diagnosed endometriosis (n=13). Baseline investigations were performed to measure pain symptoms, bone mineral density and oestradiol levels. The women were then treated with 7 months of Prostap 3 M. At the end of treatment, the investigations were repeated. After the 7-month treatment phase, there was a statistically significant reduction in all the pain subset scores. The continuous GnRHa therapy resulted in a fall of serum oestradiol levels into the post-menopausal range. After treatment with Prostap 3 M, women with endometriosis showed a mean decrease of 5.57% in BMD of the lumbar spine and of 3.47% in femoral BMD. Both these falls are statistically significant. Prostap 3 M is effective in relieving the painful symptoms associated with endometriosis, and the continuous therapy over 7 months does indeed induce a hypo-oestrogenic state. However, the effects of Prostap 3 M on bone mineral density appear to be more detrimental than seen with monthly preparations.