The effect of regular exercise on women receiving danazol for treatment of endometriosis

Abstract

Exercise during danazol therapy reduces the number of androgenic side effects. Relief of pain and time to recurrence are unaffected.

Systematic review and meta‐analysis of complementary treatments for women with symptomatic endometriosis

“…Carpenter et al . compared a group of women using danazol with a group of women using the same drug but undertaking a specific exercise protocol for 24 weeks.…”

“…One study reported fewer adverse effects of GnRH analog treatment when exercises were included in the protocol . Research has demonstrated the safety of GnRH analogs among those women who benefit from this option; however, the adverse effects of these drugs can be very intense.…”

“…The eight studies included in the review enrolled a total of 385 women with endometriosis and evaluated an intervention to treat the symptom of pain and/or its effects. The study women were aged between 13 and 50 years (two studies 21,22 did not report participant ages, only the mean value). Some of the patient characteristics required for participation in the studies were regular menstrual cycles 21 ; not exercising or doing yoga 21,23 ; discomforts related to endometriosis (i.e., dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, or chronic pelvic pain) 12,22 ; surgery to confirm the diagnosis of endometriosis 11,12,[23][24][25][26] ; no prior acupuncture experience 24 ; and candidate for use, current use, or failure to use hormonal therapy.…”

“…The study women were aged between 13 and 50 years (two studies 21,22 did not report participant ages, only the mean value). Some of the patient characteristics required for participation in the studies were regular menstrual cycles 21 ; not exercising or doing yoga 21,23 ; discomforts related to endometriosis (i.e., dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, or chronic pelvic pain) 12,22 ; surgery to confirm the diagnosis of endometriosis 11,12,[23][24][25][26] ; no prior acupuncture experience 24 ; and candidate for use, current use, or failure to use hormonal therapy. 12,[24][25][26] Two studies were conducted in the USA, 21,24 one in China, 25 one in Germany, 11 one in Sweden, 22 and three in Brazil.…”

Endometriosis and physical exercises: a systematic review

“…Carpenter et al [29] reported the beneficial effect of physical exercise on the reduction of testosterone levels and of androgenic symptoms in patients treated with Danazol. In another study reporting that physical exercise mitigates the possible adverse effects of medications, Bergström et al [30] stated that physical exercise is a supporting factor in the recovery of bone density in women treated with GnRH.…”