The effect of physical training on bone mineral density in women with endometriosis treated with GnRH analogs : a pilot study

Background. The effect of physical training on bone mineral density (BMD) in women with endometriosis treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs was studied. Methods. Nineteen Caucasian premenopausal women aged 23-38 years were included in the study. The subjects were all treated with 21.6 mg goserelin during 6 months. The patients were randomized to physical training n = 8 or to a control group n = 11. The total period of training was 12 months, whereas GnRH treatment was terminated after 6 months. BMD was measured in the femoral neck area and the lumbar spine using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). This was performed just before treatment, after 6 months and after 12 months. Six women fulfilled the training during 12 months of observation. In the control group 10 women were followed up for 12 months. Results. After 6 months the women in the physical training group were 2.1% below baseline. Six months later these women had gained BMD in the femoral neck and were 0.6% below baseline. Those...