Pars Advanced and Minimally Invasive Medical Manners Research Center, Pars Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (211 Views)
Endometriosis is estimated to affect 7-15% of reproductive-aged women. It has been considered one of the most important and debatable gynecological diseases, however, selecting therapeutic strategies in this field is even more challenging. Even if it’s believed that the gold standard for treatment is surgery by some authorities, one should keep in mind that medical treatment is the cornerstone modality in this regard. There is an ongoing need for safe, effective, cheap medical therapies for endometriosis patients, both in conjunction with and independent of surgical interventions. Most conventional therapies for endometriosis work by a similar mechanism, and efficacy is variable. In recent years, there has been increased interest in the development and testing of novel pharmacotherapies for endometriosis.
In the present presentation, we discuss both conventional and emerging treatments for endometriosis, with different presentations across the lifespan and discuss how emerging therapies might fit into future medical management of endometriosis. Conventional therapies include nonsteroidal anti–inflammatory drugs, combined oral contraceptives, progestins, GnRH agonists/antagonists, and aromatase inhibitors. Emerging therapies are focused on disease-specific targets such as endothelial growth factor receptors, etc.
It seems that the field of medical treatment of endometriosis is now moving toward modifying the immune and inflammatory responses in endometrial implants. If these drugs show efficacy in clinical trials, combining them with current medical treatment is expected to result in a profound impact on symptom and disease burden for patients who suffer from endometriosis worldwide