Subdermal progestin implant (Nestorone ® ) in the treatment of endometriosis: clinical response to various doses

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of three different doses of Nestorone ® progestin administered by implants for relief of pain, as well as bleeding patterns and symptoms in women with endometriosis. Design. An open clinical study without a control group. Patients. Twenty-one women in whom endometriosis was diagnosed and treated at laparoscopy or at laparotomy. Interventions. The patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups receiving a daily dose of either 150 µg, 200 µg or 400 µg Nestorone ® for two to four implants inserted subcutaneously for 7 months. After removal of the implants the follow-up period was 6 months. Six patients in the 150 µg group, seven in the 200 µg group and five in the 400 µg group completed the study. Measurements. Records of bleeding and registered side-effects and endometriosis-related symptoms were kept by the patients. Ovarian status was evaluated by vaginal ultrasonography. Serum concentrations of Nestorone ® and of lipids were measured. Results. Pelvic pain decr...