Received 10 March 2009; accepted 12 May 2009. published online 16 July 2009.
Abstract
MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases literature search from inception to March 2009 was performed to identify published clinical trials and cohort, observational, and in vitro studies that evaluated the use of aromatase inhibitors in reproductive medicine for indications other than ovulation induction. Aromatase inhibitors are currently being investigated for breast cancer prevention in women at high risk. Aromatase inhibitors may be used for treatment of symptomatic myomas and endometriosis as an alternative to surgical intervention. Current evidence does not support the routine use of aromatase inhibitors for these conditions without prospective controlled trials. Aromatase inhibitor cotreatment can be used to prevent the initial estrogen flare effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment to offer flexibility in initiating this therapy.
University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, and Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital and the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada
Corresponding author: Robert F. Casper, MD, Division of Reproductive Sciences and Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, 600 University Ave, Rm 876, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada.
The authors have no commercial, proprietary, or financial interest in the products or companies described in this article.
ABSTRACT