Endometriosis—the role of medroxyprogesterone acetate

Summary

Endometriosis is a progressive, often debilitating disease which affects 10 to 15 per cent of women during their reproductive years (Williams and Pratt, 1977; Schmidt 1985). Among gynaecological disorders, endometriosis is second only to leiomyomata in frequency and accounts for 25 per cent of all laparotomies performed by gynaecologists. (Hassan, 1976). Although not usually life threatening, endometriosis may significantly impair health and fertility potential. Selection of optimal treatment is therefore of the utmost clinical significance, as new and improved methods of treatment are continually being sought with the hope of finding a cure for this pervasive disease.