Medical treatment of a grossly enlarged adenomyotic uterus with the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system

The Asian Society of Endometriosis and Adenomyosis guidelines for managing adenomyosis

This is the first guidelines for adenomyosis from the Asian Society of Endometriosis and Adenomyosis.

Progesterone Actions and Resistance in Gynecological Disorders

Estrogen and progesterone and their signaling mechanisms are tightly regulated to maintain a normal menstrual cycle and to support a successful pregnancy. The imbalance of estrogen and progesterone disrupts their complex regulatory mechanisms, leading to estrogen dominance and progesterone resistance. Gynecological diseases are heavily associated with dysregulated steroid hormones and can induce chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, heavy bleeding, and infertility, which substantially impact the quality of women’s lives. Because the menstrual cycle repeatably occurs during reproductive ages with dynamic changes and remodeling of reproductive-related tissues, these alterations can accumulate and induce chronic and recurrent conditions. This review focuses on faulty progesterone signaling mechanisms and cellular responses to progesterone in endometriosis, adenomyosis, leiomyoma (uterine fibroids), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and endometrial hyperplasia. We also summarize the association with gene mutations and steroid hormone regulation in disease progression as well as current hormonal therapies and the clinical consequences of progesterone resistance.

Current and Prospective Treatment of Adenomyosis

(1) Background: Adenomyosis is a poorly understood entity which makes it difficult to standardize treatment. In this paper we review and compare the currently approved medical and surgical treatments of adenomyosis and present the evidence behind them. (2) Methods: A PubMed search was conducted to identify papers related to the different treatments of adenomyosis. The search was limited to the English language. Articles were divided into medical and surgical treatments. (3) Results: Several treatment options have been studied and were found to be effective in the treatment of adenomyosis. (4) Conclusions: Further randomized controlled trials are needed to compare treatment modalities and establish a uniform treatment algorithm for adenomyosis.

Concomitant Adenomyosis among Patients with Asherman Syndrome

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To characterize obstetric outcomes for concomitant Asherman syndrome and adenomyosis.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

A community teaching hospital affiliated with a large academic medical center.

PATIENTS

A total of 227 patients with Asherman syndrome with available hysteroscopy and pelvic ultrasound reports.

INTERVENTIONS

Telephone survey to assess and compare the obstetric outcomes of patients with Asherman syndrome with concomitant adenomyosis (Group A) vs patients with Asherman syndrome without concomitant adenomyosis (Group B).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

A telephone survey and confirmatory chart review were conducted to obtain information on patients' demographics, gynecologic and obstetric history, past medical and surgical history, and Asherman syndrome management. Adenomyosis was a common sonographic finding, detected in 39 patients with Asherman syndrome (17.2%). In this cohort, 77 patients attempted pregnancy and produced 87 pregnancies. Age (odds ratio [OR] 0.67; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.52-0.86) was negatively associated with a pregnancy outcome. Age (OR 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73-0.95) and severe Asherman disease (OR 0.06; 95% CI, <0.01-0.99) were negatively associated with a live birth outcome. Adenomyosis was not an independent predictor of pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, or live birth rate among patients with Asherman syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Adenomyosis is relatively common in patients with Asherman syndrome. Adenomyosis does not seem to add any distinct detriment to fertility among patients with Asherman syndrome.

Role of Hormones in Common Benign Uterine Lesions: Endometrial Polyps, Leiomyomas, and Adenomyosis

Leiomyoma, adenomyosis, and endometrial polyps are benign uterine disorders which seem to develop in the context of hormonal imbalances, due to steroid hormones, estrogen and progesterone, in association with various factors ranging from genetic factors to modifiable lifestyle factors. A growing body of evidence suggests that those hormones and their receptors are key modulators in the genesis and the growth of those pathologic entities. Further studies are required to understand their involvement in the pathogenesis of those lesions and their link to other factors such as extracellular matrix components, growth factors, chemokines, cytokines, and tissue repair mechanisms.

Effect of pretreatment with a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system on IVF and vitrified-warmed embryo transfer outcomes in women with adenomyosis

RESEARCH QUESTION

Does the use of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) improve the ongoing pregnancy rate of vitrified-warmed embryo transfer in women with adenomyosis undergoing IVF?

DESIGN

This retrospective study included 358 women with adenomyosis undergoing IVF. Of these, 134 women were enrolled in the LNG-IUS group and another 224 women were in the control group. All women were screened for adenomyosis by transvaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). There was no significant difference in the ages of women, FSH, cause of infertility, body mass index, total dose of gonadotrophin used and number of oocytes collected between the two groups. All comparisons performed were between patients undergoing vitrified-warmed embryo transfer.

RESULTS

Statistical differences were found in the ongoing pregnancy rates (41.8% vs 29.5%, P = 0.017) between the LNG-IUS group and control group. Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio (OR) of ongoing pregnancy was significantly increased with LNG-IUS usage (adjusted OR = 1.628, 95% confidence interval 1.011-2.622). Also, differences were found in implantation rates (32.1% vs 22.1%, P = 0.005) and clinical pregnancy rates (44% versus 33.5%, P = 0.045) between the LNG-IUS group and control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study offer some support for evaluating the effect of pretreatment with LNG-IUS in women with adenomyosis in future randomized controlled trials.

Minimally invasive treatment of adenomyosis

The aim of the present review is to give a comprehensive overview of minimal invasive treatment options and suggest a minimally invasive approach in women with adenomyosis (AD). A review of relevant literature on medical and surgical treatment options is performed. Surgical options include endometrial ablation, hysteroscopic endometrial and adenomyoma resection, laparoscopic resection of AD, high-intensity focused ultrasonography (HIFU), and uterine artery embolization (UAE). This review summarizes treatment strategies for the management of AD and highlights the present lack of knowledge, which makes suggestions of evidence-based treatment difficult.

Myomas and Adenomyosis: Impact on Reproductive Outcome

Among uterine structural abnormalities, myomas and adenomyosis represent two distinct, though frequently coexistent entities, with a remarkable prevalence in women of reproductive age. Various mechanisms have been proposed to explain the impact of each of them on reproductive outcome. In respect to myomas, current evidence implies that submucosal ones have an adverse effect on conception and early pregnancy. A similar effect yet is not quite clear and has been suggested for intramural myomas. Still, it seems reasonable that intramural myomas greater than 4 cm in diameter may negatively impair reproductive outcome. On the contrary, subserosal myomas do not seem to have a significant impact, if any, on reproduction. The presence of submucosal and/or large intramural myomas has also been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes. In particular increased risk for miscarriage, fetal malpresentation, placenta previa, preterm birth, placenta abruption, postpartum hemorrhage, and cesarean section has been reported. With regard to adenomyosis, besides the tentative coexistence of adenomyosis and infertility, to date a causal relationship among these conditions has not been fully confirmed. Preterm birth and preterm premature rupture of membranes, uterine rupture, postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony, and ectopic pregnancy have all been reported in association with adenomyosis. Further research on the impact of adenomyosis on reproductive outcome is welcome.

Treatment strategies for pelvic pain associated with adenomyosis

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effects of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in treatment of chronic pelvic pain associated with adenomyosis (AM) and in prevention of its recurrence.

METHODS

A prospective continuing study including 180 patients with chronic pelvic pain associated with AM who received insertion of LNG-IUS who were divided into three groups depending on the pain severity. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used for pain assessment before and during the treatment and transvaginal ultrasonic measurement of the uterine size, while various side effects, were observed and recorded.

RESULTS

After placement of LNG-IUS, scores of pain and ratio of severe pelvic pain decreased significantly compared with baselines (p < 0.01), the scores of VAS were 9.0 ± 0.8, 6.5 ± 2.8, 4.3 ± 1.8, 3.3 ± 2.2, 2.2 ± 2.1, 2.2 ± 1.8, 1.4 ± 1.6 and 1.3 ± 1.3 at 0, 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. During 12 months after placement of LNG-IUS, scores of pain had improved significantly compared with preceding period (p < 0.01). We found no universal dependent factors predicting improvement of pain, which was neither relevant with simultaneous changes of menstruation patterns nor with adverse effects (p > 0.005).

CONCLUSION

The obtained results allowed to confirm the possibility of using LNG-IUS in the treatment of pelvic pain syndrome associated with AM, particularly with mild and moderately severe pelvic pain syndrome. This is a cost effective, reversible and long-term treatment for women with pelvic pain associated with AM, which reduces the need for surgical interventions.

Adenomyosis: a systematic review of medical treatment

Adenomyosis is a heterogeneous gynaecologic condition with a range of clinical presentations, the most common being heavy menstrual bleeding and dysmenorrhoea; however, patients can also be asymptomatic. Several studies support the theory that adenomyosis results from invasion of the endometrium into the myometrium, causing alterations in the junctional zone. These changes are commonly seen on imaging studies, such as transvaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. The aim of this review is to discuss the medical approach to the management of adenomyosis symptoms, including pain and abnormal uterine bleeding. The standard treatment of adenomyosis is hysterectomy, but there is no medical therapy to treat the symptoms of adenomyosis while still allowing patients to conceive. Medical therapies using suppressive hormonal treatments, such as continuous use of oral contraceptive pills, high-dose progestins, selective oestrogen receptor modulators, selective progesterone receptor modulators, the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device, aromatase inhibitors, danazol, and gonadotrophin receptor hormone agonists can temporarily induce regression of adenomyosis and improve the symptoms.

Efficacy of combined levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog for the treatment of adenomyosis

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa) combined with implantation of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in adenomyosis patients with significantly enlarged uteruses.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Twenty-one adenomyosis patients whose uterine volumes were greater in size than at 12 weeks' gestation were recruited for the study. Subcutaneous injection of GnRHa was administrated at an interval of 28 days for a total of 3-4 cycles when uterine length was determined to be less than 10 cm by ultrasound measurement. At 3, 6 and 12 months after LNG-IUS implantation, follow-up was performed to document the clinical values such as uterine volume, degree of dysmenorrhea and menstrual flow.

RESULTS

Twelve months after implantation, the menstrual flow was significantly lower than baseline values (53.8 ± 11.7 vs. 100, p = 0.03). The degree of dysmenorrhea (pain) was relieved 12 months after implantation (58.2 ± 11.5 vs. 93.7 ± 0.2, p = 0.005). Uterine volume was also below pre-GnRHa levels after implantation (276.6 ± 32.1 vs. 311.4 ± 32.3, p = 0.005). LNG-IUS was expelled in 3 patients, giving an expulsion rate of 14%. Side effects of GnRHa combined with LNG-IUS implantation were few.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that combined GnRHa and LNG-IUS treatment was efficacious in patients with enlarged adenomyosis.

Effects of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system and T380A intrauterine copper device on dysmenorrhea and days of bleeding in women with and without adenomyosis

BACKGROUND

The study was conducted to compare the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) and Copper T380A intrauterine device (IUD) in women with and without adenomyosis and to investigate the effects on menstruation and dysmenorrhea.

STUDY DESIGN

Women diagnosed as having adenomyosis on transvaginal ultrasound were assigned to receive LNG-IUS (Group 1, n=23), and women seeking contraception were assigned to receive either LNG-IUS (Group 2, n=25) or Copper T380A IUD (Group 3, n=26) for 12 months.

RESULTS

The LNG-IUS significantly improved the duration of menstrual bleeding, dysmenorrhea and hemoglobin levels at the 1st and 12th month of the treatment in Group 1 and Group 2 as compared to Group 3. Moreover, LNG-IUS had similar efficacy but significantly lower side effects when compared to Copper T380A regarding contraception. However, acne was significantly increased after insertion in women using LNG-IUS.

CONCLUSIONS

The LNG-IUS results in significant improvements in adenomyosis-associated heavy menstrual bleeding and dysmenorrhea. Moreover, this study also shows that it is an effective contraceptive method with significantly lower side effects compared to CuT 380A IUD except for acne.

Non-contraceptive health benefits of intrauterine hormonal systems

Non-contraceptive health benefits are now recognized as an important aspect of the overall impact of all hormonal contraceptives. The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems (LNG IUS) are particularly effective at producing a number of health benefits for women using the LNG IUS as a contraceptive (reduced menstrual bleeding; reduced dysmenorrhea and the potential for prevention of a number of gynecological conditions in the longer term, such as iron-deficiency anemia, endometrial hyperplasia, uterine fibroids, acute episodes of pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis and perhaps others). The LNG IUS also has the potential to specifically treat a range of pre-existing gynecological conditions such as heavy menstrual bleeding due to a wide range of underlying causes, endometrial hyperplasia, uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, and endometriosis. These health benefits should be recognized as a key component in the decision-making process for individual women in choosing a specific type of hormonal or other contraceptive. Investment in research into the very substantial health benefits of hormonal contraceptives, such as the LNG IUS, has generally been ignored in comparison with the massive investment into understanding the often subtle or rare complications of hormonal contraceptive use. Both are important, but there is a real need to define more accurately those women who will benefit most from these health benefits.

Insertion of the Mirena intrauterine system for treatment of adenomyosis-associated menorrhagia: a novel method

OBJECTIVE

Insertion of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system Mirena is difficult in women with adenomyosis, and the device is often subsequently expelled. We used a novel insertion technique (Yang's method) to overcome this problem.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled 273 patients with adenomyosis who were receiving Mirena for treatment of menorrhagia and/or dysmenorrhea between 2001 and 2008. Clinical outcomes and expulsion rates were compared between patients treated using conventional insertion and those treated using Yang's insertion methods.

RESULTS

Expulsion occurred in 25.3% of patients with the conventional method, compared with 10.2% of patients with Yang's method. Hemoglobin levels and dysmenorrhea improved greatly in both groups after Mirena insertion.

CONCLUSION

Yang's insertion method for levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system is more reliable in some difficult cases, such as patients with severe adenomyosis. This method ensures correct positioning, thus reducing the risks of uterine perforation and/or expulsion.

Comparison of levonorgestrel intrauterine system versus hysterectomy on efficacy and quality of life in patients with adenomyosis

OBJECTIVE

To compare the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) with hysterectomy in patients with adenomyosis and to study the effects of both treatments on quality of life (QOL).

DESIGN

Prospective randomized clinical trial.

SETTING

Women's health teaching and research hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Eighty-six patients (43 patients for each group) were enrolled, but only 75 women continued the study.

INTERVENTION(S)

Women interpreted as having adenomyosis on transvaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging were assigned to receive either LNG-IUS or hysterectomy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Clinical measures of menstrual bleeding as number of used pads/day during menstruation, hemoglobin levels, and health-related QOL variables were assessed. Each woman was followed up for 1 year after treatment.

RESULT(S)

LNG-IUS increased the hemoglobin levels at the sixth month and first year of the treatment to the comparable levels with hysterectomy. When pretreatment and post-treatment QOL scores of groups were compared, three of the five mean domain scores (physical, environmental, environmental-TR) were increased in patients treated with hysterectomy, while in patients managed with LNG-IUS, all five mean domain scores were increased.

CONCLUSION(S)

It seems that LNG-IUS demonstrates significant and comparable improvements in hemoglobin levels to hysterectomy in treating adenomyosis-associated menorrhagia during the first year. Although both treatments lead to improvements in health-related QOL, LNG-IUS seems to have superior effects on psychological and social life. It may be a promising alternative therapy to hysterectomy.

Safety, efficacy and patient acceptability of the contraceptive and non-contraceptive uses of the LNG-IUS

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) provide highly effective, long-term, safe, reversible contraception, and are the most widely used reversible contraceptive method worldwide. The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) is a T-shaped IUD with a steroid reservoir containing 52 mg of levonorgestrel that is released at an initial rate of 20 μg daily. It is highly effective, with a typical-use first year pregnancy rate of 0.1% - similar to surgical tubal occlusion. It is approved for 5 years of contraceptive use, and there is evidence that it can be effective for up to 7 years of continuous use. After removal, there is rapid return to fertility, with 1-year life-table pregnancy rates of 89 per 100 for women less than 30 years of age. Most users experience a dramatic reduction in menstrual bleeding, and about 15% to 20% of women become amenorrheic 1 year after insertion. The device's strong local effects on the endometrium benefit women with various benign gynecological conditions such as menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, leiomyomata, adenomyosis, and endometriosis. There is also evidence to support its role in endometrial protection during postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy, and in the treatment of endometrial hyperplasia.

Intrauterine progestins, progesterone antagonists, and receptor modulators: a review of gynecologic applications

Intrauterine progestins, progesterone receptor modulators, and antagonists have many important current and potential gynecologic applications. This article will describe the evidence for use of intrauterine progestin for common gynecologic conditions beyond its important role in contraception. We will review the evidence for use of intrauterine progestin delivery for menorrhagia, endometriosis management, adenomyosis treatment, uterine fibroids, endometrial hyperplasia, and its concurrent use in women on hormone replacement therapy or tamoxifen.

The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system: Safety, efficacy, and patient acceptability

The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) is a safe, effective and acceptable form of contraception used by over 150 million women worldwide. It also has a variety of noncontraceptive benefits including treatment for menorrhagia, endometriosis, and endometrial hyperplasia. The LNG-IUS has also been used in combination with estrogen for hormone replacement therapy and as an alternative to hysterectomy. Overall, the system is very well tolerated and patient satisfaction is quite high when proper education regarding possible side effects is provided. However, despite all of the obvious benefits of the LNG-IUS, utilization rates remain quite low in the developed countries, especially in the United States. This is thought to be largely secondary to the persistent negative impressions from the Dalkon Shield intrauterine experience in the 1970s. This history continues to negatively influence the opinions of both patients and health care providers with regards to intrauterine devices. Providers should resolve to educate themselves and their patients on the current indications and uses for this device, as it, and intrauterine contraception in general, remains a largely underutilized approach to a variety of women’s health issues.

Adenomyosis: New Knowledge is Generating New Treatment Strategies

In the early days, all mucosal invasions of abdominal organs were considered to be one pathological condition of uncertain origin, termed adenomyoma. It was only in the 1920s that endometriosis and adenomyosis were clearly separated and it took approximately 80 years to put forward a new theory reunifying their pathogenesis. Today, identification of adenomyosis is carried out exclusively through vaginal ultrasonography and MRI. These techniques have made a careful evaluation of a distinct anatomical structure and the inner myometrial layers underlying the endometrium, termed the junctional zone, possible. Adenomyosis is characterized by a homogeneous thickening of this portion of the myometrium. When this hyperplasia is associated to an alteration of spiral arterioles' angiogenesis, then both adenomyosis and endometriosis may develop. Evidence is being accumulated that pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction and premature delivery may be linked, together representing a new, major obstetrical syndrome characterized by a modified uterine environment around the time of nidation. A dozen different medical or surgical techniques are utilized for the treatment of adenomyosis and novel approaches are being tested. These include use of inhibitors of angiogenesis that have been shown to cause reduced neo-angiogenesis, a significant modification of gene expression and a decrease in the percentage of active lesions. Encouraging results have also been obtained with the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.

Early results of magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery of adenomyosis: analysis of 20 cases

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the thermal ablative effects of magnetic resonance-(MR) guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) on adenomyosis and to assess improvement in clinical parameters.

DESIGN

Twenty patients with adenomyosis were treated with MRgFUS. Extensive adenomyosis (6 cases) was treated with 2 applications. Uterine volume was evaluated by MR imaging before and immediately after MRgFUS. Ablation of adenomyosis and the architecture of nonperfused areas were evaluated immediately after MRgFUS. Improvement in patient symptoms was assessed through the symptom severity score questionnaire (Canadian Task Force classification II-3).

SETTING

Department of gynecology at a Japanese general hospital.

PATIENTS

Premenopausal women at least 18 years of age with symptomatic adenomyosis.

INTERVENTIONS

Thermal ablation by MRgFUS.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

We classified the nonperfused lesions on contrast-enhanced MR images immediately after MRgFUS into 3 types: lesions with round margins (type R), serrated margins (type S), and honeycomb architecture (type H). Type R was the most common (16/20 patients). Most adenomyosis lesions could be sufficiently ablated close to the serosal surface or to the endometrium by MRgFUS. The mean uterine volume 6 months after therapy was decreased by 12.7%. Symptom severity score improved significantly during 6 months of follow-up. No serious complications were observed.

CONCLUSION

These early results indicate the safe and effective ablation of adenomyosis tissue by MRgFUS. The procedure also resulted in the improvement in clinical symptoms during the 6 months of follow-up.

Clinical effects of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device in patients with adenomyosis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical effects of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) on adenomyosis.

STUDY DESIGN

A LNG-IUD was inserted into 47 patients who were diagnosed with adenomyosis. Uterine volume, uterine artery blood flow, pictorial blood loss assessment chart (PBAC) scores, and the degree of dysmenorrhea were evaluated before and 36 months after insertion of the LNG-IUD.

RESULTS

Pain scores and PBAC scores dropped dramatically in 6 months and showed significant decrease after 36 months. A significant decrease in mean uterine volume was noted 12 months (156.85 +/- 49.79 mL to 118.64 +/- 41.36 mL; P < .001) and 24 months (128.84 +/- 48.70 mL; P < .001) after LNG-IUD insertion, but no significant differences were noted at 36 months. The mean pulsatility indices of both uterine arteries increased significantly 12 months after insertion (P = .002 for right; P = .011 for left) and decreased after 24 months without significance. Uterine volume and uterine blood flow were negatively correlated (Pearson's correlation, P < .05). Significant increase of uterine volume, pain scores, and PBAC scores were noted at 36 months compared with 12 months after insertion (P = .034, .021, and .001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

For patients with clinical diagnosis of adenomyosis, the LNG-IUD is effective for the reduction of uterine volume with improvement of vascularity and relief of symptoms. However, the efficacy of LNG-IUD on uterine volume may begin to decrease 2 years after insertion.

Hormonal treatments for adenomyosis

Like endometriosis and uterine myomas, adenomyosis presents the typical characteristics of oestrogen-dependent diseases. The medical treatment of adenomyosis is based on the hormonal dependency of the disease and its strongly debated similarities with endometriosis. Infact, despite the evident differences between the two conditions, the therapies that treat endometriosis effectively have also been successful for the treatment of adenomyosis. Although the two diseases have distinct epidemiological features, they have the same 'target tissue' for hormonal therapy, namely ectopic endometrium. Recognized approaches are systemic hormonal treatments, which are generally used for endometriosis and are capable of suppressing the oestrogenic induction of the disease, and local hormonal treatment that targets the ectopic endometrium directly. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, danazol and intrauterine levonorgestrel- or danazol-releasing devices have been used in the treatment of adenomyosis. Despite the solid rational basis for its hormonal treatment, few studies have been performed on medical therapy for adenomyosis.

Laparoscopic excision of uterine adenomyomas

OBJECTIVE

To present a series of six consecutive women with adenomyomas who were successfully managed with a standard treatment strategy to elucidate the feasibility and the effectiveness of laparoscopic treatment of adenomyomas.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional case series.

SETTING(S)

Obstetrics and gynecology department of a tertiary academic hospital and endoscopic unit of a private hospital.

PATIENT(S)

The six cases described in this report were nonpregnant women of reproductive age (mean age, 34.8 years old; range, 29-38 years) who presented in the outpatient gynecological clinic for yearly routine visit (one patient), dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia (three patients), and history of pregnancy loss (two patients).

INTERVENTION(S)

Laparoscopic excision of uterine adenomyomas.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Feasibility and effectiveness of laparoscopic management of adenomyomas.

RESULT(S)

The average operating time was 100.5 minutes, and the average estimated blood loss was 163 mL. No event complicated the intraoperative and the postoperative course of these cases, and no case was converted to laparotomy. The mean follow-up was 13.7 months, with complete regression of the symptoms.

CONCLUSION(S)

Excision of adenomyomas presents intraoperative peculiarities involving difficulties in their dissection and manipulation. Laparoscopic management of these lesions appears to be safe and feasible with good follow-up results and limited recurrence rates.

Effectiveness of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in the treatment of adenomyosis diagnosed and monitored by magnetic resonance imaging

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) on adenomyotic lesions diagnosed and monitored by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

STUDY DESIGN

LNG-IUS was inserted during menstrual bleeding in 29 women, 24 to 46 years of age, with MRI-diagnosed adenomyosis associated with menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea. Clinical evaluations were carried out at baseline and at 3 and 6 months postinsertion. MRI was performed at baseline and at 6 months postinsertion and was used to calculate junctional zone thickness (in mm), to define the junctional zone borders, to identify the presence of high-signal foci on T(2)-weighted images and to calculate uterine volume (in mL).

RESULTS

A significant reduction of 24.2% in junctional zone thickness was observed (p<.0001); however, no significant decrease in uterine volume was observed (142.6 mL vs. 136.4 mL; p=.2077) between baseline and the 6-month evaluation. A significant decrease in pain score was observed at 3 and 6 months after insertion (p<.0001); however, six women continued to report pain scores >3 at 6 months of observation. At 3 months of use, the most common bleeding pattern was spotting, and at 6 months of observation, oligomenorrhea was the most common pattern observed, although spotting was present in one third of the women.

CONCLUSIONS

The insertion of an LNG-IUS led to a reduction in pain and abnormal bleeding associated with adenomyosis. MRI was useful for monitoring response of adenomyotic lesions to the LNG-IUS.

Concomitant treatment of severe uterine adenomyosis in a premenopausal woman with an aromatase inhibitor and a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of aromatase inhibitors with GnRH agonist for a severe symptomatic adenomyosis that is refractory to GnRH agonist and danazol with GnRH agonist.

DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

Clinical practice in university hospital.

PATIENT(S)

A 34-year-old woman with a complaint of severe dysmenorrheal, symptomatic anemia, and a desire to retain fertility.

INTERVENTION(S)

Aromatase inhibitor anastrozole given orally (1.0 mg or 2.0 mg daily) for 16 weeks and GnRH agonist given monthly (injected SC, 1.8 mg) for 4 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Measurements of uterine volume and levels of serum E(2), estrone, A, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, LH, FSH, and CA125.

RESULT(S)

Uterine volume was reduced. The reduction rate of uterine volume estimated by magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography was 60% after 8 weeks of treatment.

CONCLUSION(S)

Aromatase inhibitor with GnRH agonist therapy was useful for the management of a severely adenomyotic woman whose desire was for conservative treatment.

Use of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in women with endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea

OBJECTIVES

This report is a review of the medical literature on the use of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in women with endometriosis, adenomyosis, cyclic pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A review was carried out using the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases to evaluate the use of LNG-IUS in women with endometriosis and adenomyosis.

RESULTS

Nine studies were identified, only two of which were randomized clinical trials. One compared the insertion of LNG-IUS after surgery with expectant conduct and the other compared the use of the device with a GnRH analogue (GnRH-a). All studies reported an improvement in pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea, and a reduction in menstrual bleeding. One study found an improvement in the staging of the disease at 6 months of use, and the studies that evaluated the use of LNG-IUS in women with adenomyosis reported a reduction in uterine volume. Furthermore, the only study in which women were followed up for 3 years after insertion found improvement in pelvic pain at 12 months of use. However, there was no improvement after that period.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of LNG-IUS is an alternative for the medical treatment of women suffering from endometriosis, adenomyosis, chronic pelvic pain or dysmenorrhea, but experience is limited and long-term studies are necessary to reach definitive conclusions. However, for women who do not wish to become pregnant, this device offers the possibility of at least 5 years of treatment following one single intervention.

Therapeutic options for adenomyosis: a review

BACKGROUND

To review the literature on various therapeutic modalities for uterine adenomyosis.

METHODS

Reviews, case-controlled studies and reports from November 1949 until August 2006 written in English or summarized in English abstracts retrieved from Medline and Pubmed using the key words: adenomyosis and adenomyosis therapy.

RESULTS

Symptoms of adenomyosis may be alleviated by antiprostaglandins, sex hormones, danazol and GnRH analogs. Minor surgical procedures for therapy include endomyometrial ablation, laparoscopic myometrial electrocoagulation and adenomyoma excision. Patient's age and symptoms, desired fertility, site and extent of lesion and surgeon's skills should be considered in choosing the appropriate procedure. Endomyometrial ablation is effective for lesions deeper than the endometrial-myometrial junction whereas the efficacy of hysteroscopic ablation is limited to foci 2-3 mm deep. Focal and diffuse disease may be managed by laparoscopic electrocoagulation or myometrial excision with preservation of fertility but risk of recurrence exists. Uterine artery embolization assumingly invokes infarction and necrosis. Encouraging results reported in some cases warrant expanding its use for more experience. Hysterectomy is the ultimate solution for women with deep myometrial involvement or if future fertility is not desired.

CONCLUSIONS

Various therapeutic options for adenomyosis, including few minimally invasive procedures became available in the last two decades but need evaluation and improvement.

New interventional techniques for adenomyosis

This chapter demonstrates that new interventional techniques have been introduced over recent years in order to find an adequate non-invasive therapy for adenomyosis. There is no evidence-based medicine to guide us in the treatment of adenomyosis with minimally invasive therapy. In fact, most data regarding adenomyosis and these evolving therapies comes from the inadvertent treatment of adenomyosis in studies designed to treat uterine leiomyomas. Essentially, all data are from case reports or small case series. The problem is compounded by the fact that there is no agreed imaging definition of adenomyosis, and so therapies that do not excise the uterus have no 'gold standard' for comparison. Nonetheless, there are some reports suggesting that there may be efficacy in techniques such as medicated intrauterine devices, uterine artery embolization, and MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery. Larger studies specifically treating adenomyosis are clearly required. As with every new approach, the widespread success of these techniques will depend on the general adoption of adequate diagnostic solutions and improvements in the technical parameters of these new regimens. Since the techniques presented in this chapter are new, they have not yet undergone the necessary thorough scientific scrutiny and discussion that is needed for their general acceptance. In the past, adenomyosis was mainly a 'post-factum' pathological diagnosis after extensive surgery. Based on the evidence presented in this chapter it seems that adenomyosis has become an entity that might be treatable by new, minimally invasive or non-invasive treatments.

Medical and surgical management of adenomyosis

Adenomyosis of the uterus is a common condition amongst women in their reproductive years. It is defined as the presence of heterotopic endometrial glands and stroma in the myometrium with adjacent smooth muscle hyperplasia. The common presenting symptoms are painful and heavy periods and infertility, although many women are asymptomatic. Adenomyosis is thought to affect 1% of women and is typically diagnosed in the 4th and 5th decades of life. The aetiology is unclear, and until recently a diagnosis was made only after invasive and destructive surgery. With the advent of improved imaging of the pelvic organs, and in particular magnetic resonance imaging, the diagnosis of adenomyosis is being made more frequently. Unfortunately, because the disease has been infrequently diagnosed prior to hysterectomy, there are few well-designed studies of medical or surgical management. Management with hormonal treatment that aims to reduce the proliferation of endometrial cells is promising, but there is a paucity of well-designed studies to guide treatment. Hysterectomy or use of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) remains the mainstay of treatment.

[Adenomyosis: update on a frequent but difficult diagnosis]

Adenomyosis is a frequent entity, with difficult diagnosis, often obtained by pathological analysis performed after hysterectomy. This condition can cause abnormal uterine bleeding and dysmenorrhea, frequent reasons for consultation and hysterectomy. The development of ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance imaging techniques allow preoperative diagnosis. They also permit the use of hysteroscopic techniques for conservative uterine surgery, and have brought diagnosis and management of this disease to the front of the scene. This article reviews the pathological description of the disease, its epidemiology, clinical presentations, useful and necessary explorations, etiopathogeny and available therapies.

Non-contraceptive uses of levonorgestrel-releasing hormone system (LNG-IUS)--a systematic enquiry and overview

Levonorgestrel releasing-intrauterine systems (LNG-IUS) were originally developed as a method of contraception in the mid 1970s. The only LNG-IUS approved for general public use is the Mirena LNG-IUS, which releases 20 mcg of levonorgestrel per day directly in to the uterine cavity. However, new lower dose (10 and 14 mcg per day) and smaller sized LNG-IUS (MLS, FibroPlant-LNG) are currently under clinical development and investigation. Research into the non-contraceptive uses of LNG-IUS is rapidly expanding. In the UK, LNG-IUS is licensed for use in menorrhagia and to provide endometrial protection to perimenopausal and postmenopausal women on estrogen replacement therapy. There is limited evidence to suggest that LNG-IUS may also be beneficial in women with endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, endometrial hyperplasia and early stage endometrial cancer (where the patient is deemed unfit for primary surgical therapy). This systematic enquiry and overview evaluates the quality of evidence relating to the non-contraceptive therapeutic uses of LNG-IUS in gynaecology.

Contraceptive and Therapeutic Effects of the Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System: An Overview

The levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG IUS), a steroid-releasing intrauterine system, is a T-shaped device that releases levonorgestrel directly into the uterine cavity at an initial rate of 20 mug per day. The contraceptive and therapeutic benefits of the LNG IUS stem primarily from its local effects. The local hormone delivery causes high levonorgestrel levels in the endometrial tissue but low levels in the systemic circulation. This leads to strong endometrial suppression and, in many cases, a dramatic reduction in menstrual blood loss. The high contraceptive efficacy is well documented through extensive international clinical research. This review article provides an overview of the LNG IUS and addresses the following topics: mechanisms of action, contraceptive efficacy, changes in bleeding patterns, principal safety issues, potential noncontraceptive benefits, and implications for women's reproductive health.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completion of this article, the reader should be able to explain that the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG IUS) has contraceptive and therapeutic benefits, identify the main site of action as the endometrium, and to recall that the safety of the system has been validated over time.

Adenomyosis: what is the impact on fertility?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review is timely and relevant for several reasons. The incidence of adenomyosis begins to rise from the mid-thirties. Moreover, more women are delaying their first pregnancy until later in their thirties or forties, and consequently adenomyosis is encountered more frequently in the fertility clinic during diagnostic work-up. Furthermore, it is difficult to diagnose adenomyosis before surgery, because there are no pathognomonic signs, symptoms or physical findings. Finally, reference data are very limited.

RECENT FINDINGS

This review refers to adenomyosis of the uterus as a factor in female infertility. The clinical presentation of adenomyosis uteri is also reviewed, as well as animal and human studies concerning the effect of adenomyosis in female infertility. Different treatment options are discussed, especially those referring to patients who wish to maintain their fecundity.

SUMMARY

Uterine adenomyosis remains a fairly frequent and debilitating disease that will be encountered with increasing incidence in the infertile female population. While spectacular advances have been made in recent years in the non-invasive diagnosis of the condition, non-surgical treatment options for infertile patients with adenomyosis arise but need to be confirmed in larger series.

Effect of menstrual cycle and hormonal treatment on ki-67 and bcl-2 expression and adenomyosis

OBJECTIVE

To study the expression of proliferation markers (ki-67) and anti-apoptotic protein (bcl-2) in adenomyotic lesions during the menstrual cycle or following the use of steroid hormones.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ninety patients of reproductive age were included, who were submitted to endometrial resection for treatment of adenomyosis-related menorrhagia. Seven patients were using oral contraceptives and another seven had a levonorgestrel intrauterine device (IUD) (Mirena) in the uterine cavity at the time of the hysteroscopic procedure. Untreated patients were divided into four groups: menstruation/early proliferative phase (n = 24), late proliferative (n = 19), early luteal phase (n = 7) and late luteal phase (n?=?26). Bcl-2 and ki-67 expression was determined in paraffin-embedded tissue blocks using immunohistochemical methods.

RESULTS

Proliferation rates in adenomyotic lesions increased during the proliferative phase, reaching a peak during ovulation to decrease to values close to zero in the late luteal phase. Bcl-2 expression showed a similar curve with peak values during the later proliferative phase followed by a significant decrease in the number of cases showing strong positive expression in the late luteal phase. Both Mirena and oral contraceptives decreased ki-67 expression on adenomyosis but only Mirena was affective in diminishing bcl-2 expression.

CONCLUSION

During the luteal phase, both ki-67 and bcl-2 expression is reduced in adenomyotic lesions in a similar way to that occurring in patients using Mirena. Oral contraceptives, on the other hand, do not affect bcl-2 expression in adenomyosis.

Évolutions physiopathologiques, diagnostiques et thérapeutiques dans la prise en charge de l’adénomyose : revue de la littérature

OBJECTIVE

Adenomyosis is a relatively frequent disease of unknown origin, which is difficult to diagnose. Appropriate treatment for women who want to preserve or improve their fertility remains to be defined.

METHODS

This review summarized the reports found on Medline database about pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of adenomyosis.

RESULTS

Many pathophysiological factors may be involved in the occurrence of adenomyosis: immunological factors, estrogen sulfatase activity, tenascin which is a fibronectin inhibitor and angiogenesis and growth factors such as EGF, VEGF and GM-CSF. Endovaginal ultrasonography seems to be as effective as MRI for the diagnosis of adenomyosis. GnRH agonist decreases symptoms and uterine volume; however, the symptoms reappear after discontinuation of agonist therapy, and side effects limit their prolonged use. Progesterone receptor modulators, anti-progestative and danazol or levonorgestrel-releasing intra-uterine system have been used as therapeutic modalities for adenomyosis, but the lack of controlled studies make their efficacy difficult to quantify. Some women with superficial adenomyosis may theoretically benefit from hysteroscopic myometrial or endometrial resection, but these procedures would be limited to women not wishing to conceive. Laparoscopic myometrial electrocoagulation or excision has proven to be effective but pregnancy following these techniques poses special problems, particularly the increased risk of uterine rupture.

CONCLUSION

Transvaginal ultrasonography can successfully diagnose adenomyosis. Medical and conservative surgical treatments are already available.

Benefit-Risk Assessment of the Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System in Contraception

The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (IUS) is a long-acting, fully reversible method of contraception. It is one of the most effective forms of contraception available, and combines the advantages of both hormonal and intrauterine contraception. The levonorgestrel-releasing IUS also gives the users many non-contraceptive benefits: the amount of menstrual bleeding and the number of days of menstrual bleeding are reduced, which makes it suitable for the treatment of menorrhagia (heavy menstrual blood loss). Dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation) and premenstrual symptoms are also relieved. In addition, the levonorgestrel-releasing IUS provides protection for the endometrium during hormone replacement therapy. The local release of levonorgestrel into the uterine cavity results in a strong uniform suppression of the endometrial epithelium as the epithelium becomes insensitive to estradiol released from the ovaries. This accounts for the reduction in menstrual blood loss. All possible patterns of bleeding are seen among users of the levonorgestrel-releasing IUS; however, most of the women who experience total amenorrhoea continue to ovulate. The first months of use are often characterised by irregular, scanty bleeding, which in most cases resolves spontaneously. The menstrual pattern and fertility return to normal soon after the levonorgestrel-releasing IUS is removed. The contraceptive efficacy is high with 5-year failure rates of 0.5-1.1 per 100 users. The absolute number of ectopic pregnancies is low, as is the rate per 1000 users. The levonorgestrel-releasing IUS is equally effective in all age groups and the bodyweight of the user is not associated with failure of the method. In Western cultures continuance rates among users of the levonorgestrel-releasing IUS are comparable with those of other long-term methods of contraception. Premature removal of the device is most often associated with heavy menstrual bleeding and pain, as with other long-term methods of contraception, and is most common in the youngest age group. When adequately counselled about the benign nature of oligo- or amenorrhoea, most women are very willing to accept life without menstruation. The risk of premature removal can be markedly diminished with good pre-insertion counselling, which also markedly increases user satisfaction. User satisfaction is strongly associated with the information given at the time of the levonorgestrel-releasing IUS insertion. Thus, the benefits of the levonorgestrel-releasing IUS make it a very suitable method of contraception for most women.