Postmenopausal endometrial hyperplasia: role of danazol therapy

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 1994 Feb;44(2):155-9. doi: 10.1016/0020-7292(94)90071-x.

Abstract

Objectives: To confirm the effectiveness of danazol in the management of simple or complex endometrial hyperplasia without atypical features, as has been demonstrated previously.

Methods: Seventy-six patients affected by postmenopausal histologically-confirmed endometrial hyperplasia with uterine bleeding were submitted to danazol therapy at a dose of 400 mg/day for 3 consecutive months.

Results: After cessation of treatment, 82.8% of the patients (63/76 enrolled) showed a conversion of the hyperplasia into atrophic (65.8%), secretory (11.9%) or proliferative (4.2%) endometrium at the histological examination. Uterine bleeding disappeared, during the therapy, in 90% of the responders (59/63).

Conclusions: Although 17.1% of the women had a persistence of the hyperplasia and 8.4% of the symptom-free women relapsed after 4 months of follow-up, this experience confirms the effectiveness of danazol therapy in hyperplastic endometrial lesions. Nevertheless, a study comparing danazol and progestin therapy is required.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Danazol / administration & dosage*
  • Endometrial Hyperplasia / drug therapy*
  • Endometrial Hyperplasia / pathology
  • Endometrium / pathology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Postmenopause*
  • Recurrence

Substances

  • Danazol