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Medical treatments for endometriosis-associated pelvic pain.

BioMed research international
January 1, 2014
Gabriella Zito et al. (7 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the potential efficacy of melatonin in treating endometriosis-associated pelvic pain based on animal studies.

Results Summary

Melatonin was found to be efficacious in animal studies for endometriosis-associated pain, but it has not yet been tested in clinical studies.

Population

Animal models (not specified further).

Effective Dosage

Not available.

Duration

Not specified.

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (7)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
oral contraceptives used continuously
decrease
endometriosis associated pain
women with endometriosis
-
first-line treatment
#1
progestins
decrease
endometriosis associated pain
women with endometriosis
-
acceptable alternative
#2
norethisterone acetate at low dosage
decrease
endometriosis associated pain
women with rectovaginal lesions or colorectal endometriosis
-
should be preferred
#3
GnRH analogues
decrease
endometriosis associated pain
women with endometriosis
-
may be used as second-line treatment
#4
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
no change
endometriosis-associated pelvic pain
women with endometriosis
-
inconclusive evidence for their efficacy
#5
GnRH antagonist, aromatase inhibitors, immunomodulators, selective progesterone receptor modulators, and histone deacetylase inhibitors
decrease
endometriosis associated pain
women with endometriosis
-
seem to be very promising
#6
peroxisome proliferator activated receptors-γ ligands, antiangiogenic agents, and melatonin
decrease
endometriosis associated pain
animal models
-
proven to be efficacious
#7
Abstract

The main sequelae of endometriosis are represented by infertility and chronic pelvic pain. Chronic pelvic pain causes disability and distress with a very high economic impact. In the last decades, an impressive amount of pharmacological agents have been tested for the treatment of endometriosis-associated pelvic pain. However, only a few of these have been introduced into clinical practice. Following the results of the controlled studies available, to date, the first-line treatment for endometriosis associated pain is still represented by oral contraceptives used continuously. Progestins represent an acceptable alternative. In women with rectovaginal lesions or colorectal endometriosis, norethisterone acetate at low dosage should be preferred. GnRH analogues may be used as second-line treatment, but significant side effects should be taken into account. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are widely used, but there is inconclusive evidence for their efficacy in relieving endometriosis-associated pelvic pain. Other agents such as GnRH antagonist, aromatase inhibitors, immunomodulators, selective progesterone receptor modulators, and histone deacetylase inhibitors seem to be very promising, but there is not enough evidence to support their introduction into routine clinical practice. Some other agents, such as peroxisome proliferator activated receptors-γ ligands, antiangiogenic agents, and melatonin have been proven to be efficacious in animal studies, but they have not yet been tested in clinical studies.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
EndometriosisFemaleGonadotropin-Releasing HormoneHistone Deacetylase InhibitorsHormone AntagonistsHumansPain ManagementPelvic PainProgestins
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy70/10
Quality60/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations55
Citations/Year5.0
Relative Citation Ratio2.36
NIH Percentile79.2%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.48
Normalized Score0.60
Related Supplements
Medical treatments for endometriosis-associated pelvic pain. | Panacea Index