Hormonal Therapy

Overview

Some types of chronic pelvic pain are responsive to hormonal manipulation. For example, endometriosis is a disorder in which uterine tissue implants are found abnormally throughout the abdominopelvic cavity. These implants become painful at certain times during the menstrual cycle. The administration of hormonal therapy can be effective at minimizing these painful episodes.

Hormonal therapy has many different forms. Oral contraceptive pills, depot injections, vaginal rings, intrauterine implants, and skin patches are all effective routes of administration for therapeutic hormones. Your physician may tailor a treatment regimen that is not only effective, but convenient for you as well.

References

Petta CA, Ferriani RA, Abrao MS, Hassan D, Rosa E, Silva JC, Podgaec S, Bahamondes L. Randomized clinical trial of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system and a depot GnRH analogue for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain in women with endometriosis. Hum Reprod 2005;20:1993-8.

Rice VM. Conventional medical therapies for endometriosis. Ann NY Acad Sci 2002;955:343-52. 2005;3:CD005454.