Author/Editor		Jakič, Maja; Vogler, Andrej; Lanišnik-Rižner, Tea
Title		Medikamentno zdravljenje endometrioze
Translated title		Pharmacological treatment of endometriosis
Type		članek
Vol. and No.		Letnik 85, št. 7/8
Publication year		2016
Volume		str. 410-427
ISSN		1581-0224 - Zdravniški vestnik
Language		slv
Abstract		Endometriosis is a gynecological disease that is defined as the presence of endometrium-like tissue outside the uterine cavity, and it is one of the main causes of female infertility. Although there is unfortunately no known 'optimal' treatment for endometriosis, there are three treatment options: medication, surgical treatment, and a combination of both. The gold standard for diagnosis of endometriosis is a diagnostic laparoscopy, which is also therapeutic. Indications for pharmacological treatment of endometriosis include empirical treatment for patients with pelvic pain, whose gynecological examination findings are normal, or who have recurrent disease after surgical treatment or in combination with surgical treatment. In everyday practice, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, oral contraceptives, and progestins per os are used as first-line pharmacological treatments of endometriosis. Gonadoliberin agonists can be used as a second-line treatment, although their use is discouraged. These medications can be used alone or in combination. Studies over the last 10 years have shown that many other agents have potential for treatment of endometriosis. These can be broadly classified into several groups: anti-inflammatory agents, and agents that interfere with the hormonal system or with other pathophysiological processes, such as a disturbed immune system, reduced apoptosis, enhanced angiogenesis, degradation of the extracellular matrix, increased oxidative stress, and epigenetic changes. However, their introduction into routine use requires more convincing clinical studies to confirm their effectiveness.
Keywords		endometrioza medikamentno zdravljenje protivnetne učinkovine endometriosis pharmacological treatment antiinflammatory treatments