Inclusion |
Age greater than 18 and premenopausal. |
Pelvic pain of at least 3 months’ duration. |
Diagnosis of endometriosis by laparoscopy or laparotomy within 3 years of entry. The diagnosis of endometriosis will require either histology consistent with endometriosis or operative records indicating visual evidence of lesions consistent with endometriosis. |
Moderate to severe pelvic pain attributable to endometriosis (average NRS40 of 5 or more for 3 or more months). |
Willingness to comply with visit schedule and protocol. |
Exclusion |
Use of OCs within 1 month of enrollment. |
Dose of leuprolide within 3 months if given monthly or within 5 months if given 3-month injection. |
Any disorder that represents a contraindication to the use of OCs (e.g., insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, history of thrombophlebitis, hypertension, history of cardiovascular disease, smoker at 35 or more years of age) or GnRH analogs (e.g., history of osteopenia). |
History ofhysterectomyand bilateral salpingo-ophorectomy. |
Pregnancy or breastfeeding. |
Significant mental or chronic systemic illness that might confound pain assessment or the inability to complete the study. |