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 to 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 in the control group lost 2.8% after 6 months and were 3.6% below baseline after 12 months. The difference in loss of BMD after 12 months between the groups was significant 0.029. In the spine there was no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Physical training in women with endometriosis was found to rebuild bone after treatment with GnRH analogs when compared to a control group. This effect could be demonstrated 6 months after cessation of GnRH treatment.

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