The usefulness of combined treatment of GnRH agonist and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (Mirena(R)) for chronic pelvic pain of endometriosis

Cho, Moon Kyoung; Kim, Cheol Hong; Cho, Hye Yeon; Oh, Sung Tack

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (Mirena(R)) combination to GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) agonist treatment on chronic pelvic pain of endometriosis, hypoestrogenic symptoms.
METHODS
One hundred twenty eight patients who were diagnosed as endometriosis, were divided into endometriosis without adenomyosis group (n=88) and endometriosis with adenomyosis group (n=40). In 57 of 88 patients who had only endometriosis without adenomyosis, only GnRH agonist for 6 months was injected monthly (Group A). In the other 31 of 88 patients, Mirena(R) was inserted and GnRH agonist for 6 months was injected monthly (Group B). In 12 of 40 patients who had endometriosis and adenomyosis, only GnRH agonist for 6 months was injected monthly (Group C). In the other 28 of 40 patients, Mirena(R) was inserted and GnRH agonist for 6 months was injected monthly (Group D). The degree of pelvic pain, dysmenorrhe, and hypoestrogenic symptoms of each groups were observed and compared.
RESULTS
The decreased pain rates of Group B and D were significantly higher than Group A and C (p<0.01), and decreased pain rates of Group D were significantly higher than Group B (p<0.05). The incidence of hot flush, depression and insomnia of 4 groups were not significantly different.
CONCLUSIONS
Although Mirena(R) combination to GnRH agonist treatment cannot prevent the hypoestrogeic symptoms, Mirena(R) combination increases the treatment effect for pain of endometriosis. Especially, this effect is the more if adenomyosis is combined to endometriosis.