Oral contraceptives for pain associated with endometriosis

“…To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial addressing the comparative effect of dienogest and a COCP on pain and quality of life in women with severe endometriosis. Our data concur with previous reports 9,29 that dienogest and COCPs are effective in reducing endometriosis‐associated pain.…”

“…In line with other investigations, 9,22 The present study revealed no statistically significant difference in quality of life between the two intervention groups. Caruso et al 22 reported that 2 mg dienogest daily was more effective than NSAIDs in reducing progressive pain due to endometriosis and might have contributed to improved quality of life in women with endometriosis.…”

“…Our findings, paired with clinical evidence that birth control may be insufficient to improve endometriosis symptoms, further reiterate just how critical it is that new treatment options be researched, considered, and made available. 23 The results of our study have far-reaching implications for clinicians and researchers who are tasked with treating this complicated and multimodal disease. Revising the current guidelines related to treating endometriosis, that is, creating coding for endometriosis excision techniques; having a multi-specialty group of guidelines for addressing pelvic pain; developments in research; securing funding; and advocating for policy shift, among others, should be considered when looking at next steps for advancing the overall standards of care related to endometriosis.…”

“…All medical hormonal therapies of endometriosis, OCs, progestogen monotherapy [ 66 , 67 , 68 ], and Gn-RH [ 69 ] agonists [ 70 ] or antagonists [ 71 ] inhibit ovulation and decrease ovarian steroid hormone secretion. The plasma concentrations of the administered ethinylestradiol and progestins are poorly documented.…”