"Add-back" therapy for endometriosis in adolescents

J Reprod Med. 1998 Mar;43(3):164-72.

Abstract

Objective: To review the impact of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH-as) on bone mass in adolescents and options for GnRH-a with "add-back" for long-term therapy for adolescents with endometriosis not responding to conventional therapy.

Study design: Literature research.

Results: The use of GnRH-a plus add-back therapy has not been specifically studied in the adolescent population, and thus the ideal dosage of add-back sex steroids for adolescents has not been delineated.

Conclusion: GnRH-a plus add-back can be considered for usage in adolescents with endometriosis who are refractory to conventional therapy, but steroids are needed to determine the ideal dosage and long-term effects.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Medicine / standards
  • Bone Density / drug effects*
  • Endometriosis / therapy*
  • Estrogen Replacement Therapy
  • Estrogens / pharmacology
  • Estrogens / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / adverse effects
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / analogs & derivatives
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / therapeutic use*
  • Health Behavior
  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Middle Aged
  • Postmenopause
  • Progestins / pharmacology
  • Progestins / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Estrogens
  • Progestins
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone