Danazol in the treatment of infertility. 1980

R B Greenblatt

Danazol, an interesting pharmacologic steroid 'in search of a disease', was first used by my group in the management of endometriosis because of the marked anti-endometrial effects found during clinical trials. The results in alleviating dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, and pelvic discomfort were surprisingly good, but more important was the 40 to 50% pregnancy rate that occurred following discontinuation of its use. In addition, because we suspected that women with unexplained infertility might be harbouring an occult or microendometriosis, a 3 month course of 200mg of danazol was tried in such patients, and proved effective in overcoming infertility in roughtly 40% of patients within 6 months after discontinuation of medication. We serendipitously found that some habitual aborters carried to term after a course of danazol. Accordingly, a trial of 100mg daily for 3 months was undertaken with a satisfactory outcome in more instances than could be attributed to chance alone. To readily appreciate the effectiveness of this agent, one must be aware that conceptions may follow the use of placebos or whatever regimen is employed in about 15 to 20% of infertile women. The unusually good results that we and other investigators in the field obtained with danazol rules out a placebo effect.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007247 Infertility, Female Diminished or absent ability of a female to achieve conception. Sterility, Female,Sterility, Postpartum,Sub-Fertility, Female,Subfertility, Female,Female Infertility,Female Sterility,Female Sub-Fertility,Female Subfertility,Postpartum Sterility,Sub Fertility, Female
D011245 Pregnadienes Pregnane derivatives containing two double bonds anywhere within the ring structures.
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D002986 Clinical Trials as Topic Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries. Clinical Trial as Topic
D003613 Danazol A synthetic steroid with antigonadotropic and anti-estrogenic activities that acts as an anterior pituitary suppressant by inhibiting the pituitary output of gonadotropins. It possesses some androgenic properties. Danazol has been used in the treatment of endometriosis and some benign breast disorders. Azol,Cyclomen,Danatrol,Danazant,Danazol-Ratiopharm,Danocrine,Danol,Danoval,Ladogal,Norciden,Panacrine,Danazol Ratiopharm
D004715 Endometriosis A condition in which functional endometrial tissue is present outside the UTERUS. It is often confined to the PELVIS involving the OVARY, the ligaments, cul-de-sac, and the uterovesical peritoneum. Endometrioma,Endometriomas,Endometrioses
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000026 Abortion, Habitual Three or more consecutive spontaneous abortions. Abortion, Recurrent,Miscarriage, Recurrent,Recurrent Early Pregnancy Loss,Habitual Abortion,Habitual Abortions,Recurrent Abortion,Recurrent Abortions,Recurrent Miscarriage,Recurrent Miscarriages

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