Original Article

Interval of Injections of Intramuscular Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate in the Long-Term Treatment of Endometriosis-Associated Pain: A Randomized Comparative Trial
Sopon Cheewadhanaraks, Krantarat Peeyananjarassri, Chainarong Choksuchat, Kriengsak Dhanaworavibul, Thanapan Choobun, Sathana Bunyapipat

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand

Address of Corresponding Author

Gynecol Obstet Invest 2009;68:116-121 (DOI: 10.1159/000226090)

  Key Words

• Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate
• Endometriosis
• Pain

  Abstract

Aim: To determine the optimal interval of injections of intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate 150 mg in the long-term treatment of endometriosis-associated pain. Method: 112 patients with symptomatic endometriosis were randomized to receive either injections every month for 6 months, then every 3 months for a total of 15 months or injections every 3 months for 15 months. The primary outcome measure was patients' satisfaction. Result: At months 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 of the treatment phase, there was no statistically significant difference of percentages of patients with satisfaction between the two regimens (85.7 vs. 76.8%, 76.8 vs. 73.2%, 66.1 vs. 58.9%, 60.7 vs. 55.4%, 60.7 vs. 55.4%, respectively). Conclusion: The optimal interval of injections of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate 150 mg is every 3 months.

Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Sopon Cheewadhanaraks, MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University
Hat Yai, Songkla 90110 (Thailand)
Fax +66 74 212 900, E-Mail csophon@medicine.psu.ac.th

  Article Information

Received: September 22, 2008
Accepted after revision: January 19, 2009
Published online: June 24, 2009
Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 27