Deep endometriosis is not sensitive to pharmacological treatment. The currently available medications fall into five main categories: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), oral contraceptives, highly effective progestins, androgen derivatives and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH-a).
As the efficacy of the various regimens is essentially the same, but the adverse effects vary, it is important to take full account of the adverse effects of the drugs when selecting them.
Promising drugs include aromatase inhibitors, gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists and selective PR modulators.