ORAL GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING HORMONE ANTAGONISTS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ENDOMETRIOSIS-ASSOCIATED PAIN: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF CLINICAL EFFICACY, SAFETY AND SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT

Maria Kurt; Norbert Gromadzki; Grzegorz Jałoszyński; Sebastian Konecki; Oliwia Marciniak; Natalia Bylak; Bruno Makowski; Maciej Makarewicz; Marcin Patryk Barbachowski; Anna Gwizdek; Dawid Szczepański

doi:10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.4988

Authors

Maria Kurt Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6820-4538
Norbert Gromadzki Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9954-6132
Grzegorz Jałoszyński Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3763-4311
Sebastian Konecki Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0152-7914
Oliwia Marciniak Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5282-2539
Natalia Bylak Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7405-9041
Bruno Makowski Medical Center HCP, John Paul II Hospital, Poznań, Greater Poland, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5806-0822
Maciej Makarewicz Independent Researcher, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9099-8710
Marcin Patryk Barbachowski Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4315-7477
Anna Gwizdek Independent Researcher, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8037-6020
Dawid Szczepański Independent Researcher, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8430-0905

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.4988

Keywords:

Endometriosis, GnRH Antagonists, Elagolix, Relugolix, Linzagolix, Pelvic Pain

Abstract

Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent inflammatory disorder that affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age, resulting in chronic pelvic pain and infertility. The principal clinical challenge is the management of endometriosis-associated pain (EAP), which substantially impairs quality of life and professional productivity. Conventional pharmacological treatments frequently provide inadequate relief or are constrained by significant adverse effects. Elagolix, relugolix, and linzagolix represent a newly developed class of oral non-peptide GnRH antagonists that have recently expanded the therapeutic landscape. Recent studies underscore the essential role of hormonal add-back therapy (ABT) in facilitating long-term management by preserving bone mineral density while suppressing pain. This review synthesizes current clinical data from major trials (ELARIS, SPIRIT, and SELECT) to evaluate the efficacy of these agents and examines their socio-technological impact, specifically how they reduce the socioeconomic burden of the disease and enhance patient autonomy and quality of life.

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