Danazol in the treatment of endometriosis externa.

Thirty-six women with endometriosis externa were treated with danazol (Ladogar; Winthrop Laboratories, Division of Sterling Drug (SA) (Pty) Ltd) for 6 months. In 15 cases treatment was combined with conservative surgery. Of these patients 34 presented with the complaint of infertility. The results were evaluated by means of repeat laparoscopy and biopsy. Of 21 patients treated with danazol only 9 (42,9%) were completely healed, and 10 (47,6%) showed a good response, giving an overall response of 90,5% and a corrected conception rate of 52,9%. Of the 15 patients who were treated with danazol combined with conservative surgery, 9 (60%) have completely healed, and 3 had a recurrence of endometriosis. This group had a corrected pregnancy rate of 30,8%. The majority of conceptions (61,5%) occurred during the first 6 months after treatment, 92,3% within the 1st year and 1 a year after conclusion of treatment. Of the 13 conceptions, 11 were successful, 1 ended in an abortion and 1 in an ectopic pregnancy, and 1 small-for-gestational-age infant was delivered.