Norethisterone acetate in the treatment of colorectal endometriosis: a pilot study

S Ferrero, Simone Ferrero, G Camerini, Nicola Ragni, N Ragni, Pier Luigi Venturini, P L Venturini, E Biscaldi, Ennio Biscaldi, Valentino Remorgida, V Remorgida
Human Reproduction · 2009 · vol. 25(1) , pp. 94–100 · doi:10.1093/humrep/dep361 · PMID:19820247 · W2152713755
article OA: bronze CC0 ⤵ 88 in-corpus citations
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This pilot study found that norethisterone acetate improved pain and cyclical gastrointestinal symptoms in women with colorectal endometriosis, particularly those with diarrhea and cramping.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: This pilot study evaluates the efficacy of norethisterone acetate in treating pain and gastrointestinal symptoms of women with colorectal endometriosis. METHODS: This prospective 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.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715endometriosisbowel_endometriosischronic_pelvic_paindysmenorrheadyspareunia

MeSH descriptors

Colonic Diseases Endometriosis Norethindrone Rectal Diseases Adult Colonic Diseases Endometriosis Female Humans Norethindrone Norethindrone Norethindrone Norethindrone Acetate Pain Pain Pilot Projects Prospective Studies Rectal Diseases

Citation neighborhood

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