The effects of a 3-month depot preparation of leuprorelin acetate on pain symptoms, bone mineral density and hormone levels in women with endometriosis—preliminary data analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Prostap 3 M, a 3-month depot preparation of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist, in the relief of pelvic pain symptoms caused by endometriosis and to assess its effects on bone mineral density. A prospective cohort study was carried out at St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, and included 13 women with laparoscopically diagnosed endometriosis (n=13). Baseline investigations were performed to measure pain symptoms, bone mineral density and oestradiol levels. The women were then treated with 7 months of Prostap 3 M. At the end of treatment, the investigations were repeated. After the 7-month treatment phase, there was a statistically significant reduction in all the pain subset scores. The continuous GnRHa therapy resulted in a fall of serum oestradiol levels into the post-menopausal range. After treatment with Prostap 3 M, women with endometriosis showed a mean decrease of 5.57% in BMD of the lumbar spine and of 3.47% in femoral BMD. Both these falls are statistically significant. Prostap 3 M is effective in relieving the painful symptoms associated with endometriosis, and the continuous therapy over 7 months does indeed induce a hypo-oestrogenic state. However, the effects of Prostap 3 M on bone mineral density appear to be more detrimental than seen with monthly preparations.