Advances in targeting estrogen synthesis and receptors in patients with endometriosis.

Available treatments interfering with estrogen pathways exert a contraceptive effect, have hypoestrogenic side effects, and cannot prevent or definitively treat the disease. Preclinical and animal studies are focusing on emerging drugs targeting ERs in order to overcome limitations of available treatments. These treatments may represent a promising option, as they may produce a more specific inhibition of disease activity within endometriotic implants, avoiding prolonged hypoestrogenic status and limiting systemic side effects.