All Surgical Images Are © Copyright Gynaecology.co | Designed By Zak

All Surgical Images Are © Copyright Gynaecology.co | Designed By Zak

MEDICAL TREATMENT

This consists of different types of hormone treatments and is aimed at relieving symptoms in particular those of pain. Often these drugs may:


Bring about an improvement in the pain symptoms

Shrink or slow down the progression of the condition

Delay the recurrence of the disease

Hormonal treatments may have side effects


Commonly used drugs include:


Testosterone derivatives

Progestogens

Medroxyprogesterone (Provera)

Dyhydrogesterone (Duphaston)

Norethisterone (Duphaston)

GnRH analogues

Triptorelin (Gonapeptyl)

Goserelin (Zoladex)

Leuprorelin (Prostap)

Nafarelin (Synarel)

Buserelin (Suprecur)

Combined oral contraceptive pill

Mirena intra-uterine system (IUS)

Depo-provera injection

It is important to avoid a pregnancy whilst receiving hormonal treatments. The Mirena system, Depo-provera and the oral contraceptive pill provide effective contraception. However, the other hormone treatments do not provide effective contraception cover and therefore you are advised to use alternative methods of contraception such as the barrier method whilst receiving these treatments.


Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone Analogues (Gonapeptyl, Prostap or Zoladex)


These hormones (GnRHa) temporarily switch off the ovaries and virtually remove the production of oestrogen production. This results in a temporary but reversible menopause. This tends to cause shrinkage of endometriosis, as it is known to be oestrogen dependant. Lack of periods and shrinkage of endometriosis with these drugs tend to give an improvement of the symptoms. However, the condition tends to come back after the treatment is discontinued.


GnRHa may be used prior to surgery to shrink and reduce vascularity of endometriosis to facilitate surgery. They are sometimes used after or instead of surgery in selected patients.


These drugs are usually given for two to six months and most women feel better during treatment. Sometimes drugs may be used for longer, but in such situations additional hormone replacement therapy is given to prevent osteoporosis and menopausal symptoms.


How are Gonapeptyl, Zoladex and Prostap administered?

Gonapeptyl, Zoladex and Prostap are given as an injection once a month. It is important that you are not pregnant when beginning treatment. These drugs do not provide effective contraception and therefore some form of barrier method must be used during treatment.


What are the main side effects?


Some women experience no side effects. Others may experience some of the following symptoms:


Hot flushes

Decreased sex drive (libido)

Mood changes

Breast changes

Insomnia

These side effects generally reduce within a few weeks of completing treatment. With longer use osteoporosis may also occur.