EFFECT OF NORETHINDRONE ACETATE IN THE TREATMENT OF SYMPTOMATIC ENDOMETRIOSIS

Objective-The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of nor ethindrone acetate (NA) treatment in 52 women with dysmenorrhea, dyspa reunia, noncyclic pelvic pain who had a diagnosis of endometriosis by Laparoscopy. Results-Dysmenorrhea and noncyclic pelvic pain were relie ved in 48/52 (92.3%) and 25/28 (89.2%) of patients, respectively. Over all pain relief was obtained in 49/52 (94.2%) of patients. Breakthroug h bleeding, of variable severity, was the most common side effect expe rienced by 30 patients (57.6%); however, only 4 patients (7.7%) droppe d out for this side effect. One other patient dropped out for severe b reast tenderness, and three for noncyclic pelvic pain. In general, tre atment was successful in 44/52 (84.5%) of patients with the above symp toms. Conclusion-NA seems to be a cost-effective alternative with rela tively mild side effects in the treatment of symptomatic endometriosis .