Medical treatments for endometriosis-associated pelvic pain.
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.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.