Letrozole combined with oral contraceptives versus oral contraceptives alone in the treatment of endometriosis-related pain symptoms: a pilot study

Abstract

Background

To compare the efficacy and the tolerability of letrozole combined with oral contraceptives versus oral contraceptives alone in treating endometriosis-related pain.

Methods

A total of 820 women with endometriosis presented with endometriosis-related pain were enrolled with this study. Patients were randomly treated either with letrozole (2.5 mg/day) combined with oral contraceptives (Desogestrel and Ethinylestradiol Tablets) or oral contraceptives (Desogestrel and Ethinylestradiol Tablets) alone for 6 months. Changes in pain symptoms during treatment and in 1 months after treatment, 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-up were evaluated. Adverse effects of each treatment protocol were recorded.

Results

At completion of treatment, the intensity of chronic pelvic pain continued to decrease during treatment and at 1-month after treatment it was significantly lower than at 6-month follow-up and baseline level both in LE + oral contraceptives group (Mean ± SD,1.5 ± 1.4) and in oral contraceptives alone group(Mean ± SD,2.9 ± 1.2).The intensity of chronic pelvic pain and deep dyspareunia was significantly decrease at both 1-month after treatment and 6-month follow-up.

Conclusions

This treatment for endometriosis is a promising new modality that warrants further investigation.

摘要

背景: 比较来曲唑联合口服避孕药与单用口服避孕药治疗子宫内膜异位症疼痛的疗效和耐受性。

方法: 本研究共纳入820例出现子宫内膜异位症相关疼痛的子宫内膜异位症患者。患者随机接受来曲唑(2.5 mg/d)联合口服避孕药(去氧孕烯炔雌醇片)或单独口服避孕药(去氧孕烯炔雌醇片)治疗6个月。评估治疗期间、治疗后1个月、6个月随访、12个月随访的疼痛症状变化。记录每种治疗方案的不良反应。

结果: 治疗结束时, 慢性盆腔疼痛的强度在治疗期间持续下降, 治疗后1个月, LE +口服避孕药组(均值±SD, 1.5±1.4)和单用口服避孕药组(均值±SD, 2.9±1.2)均明显低于治疗后6个月随访和基线水平。治疗后1个月和随访6个月, 慢性盆腔疼痛和深部性交困难程度均明显减轻。

结论: 这种治疗子宫内膜异位症是一种很有前途的新方法, 值得进一步研究。

Keywords:

• Letrozole
• oral contraceptives
• pain
• endometriosis
• aromatase inhibitor

Acknowledgments

The authors thank all patients who participated in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.

Additional information

Funding

The study was supported by grant from Zhejiang Province Natural Science Foundation (YY18H310001).