Lipedema-Related Outcomes During Gestrinone Treatment for Estrogen-Dependent Gynecological Disorders: A Real-World Retrospective Case Series.
- 1Scientific Department, Educational Organization in Lipedema (ABRALIPRO), São Paulo, BRA.
Abstract
Background
The clinical course of lipedema in women receiving hormonal treatment for concomitant estrogen-dependent gynecological disorders remains insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to describe gynecological and lipedema-related manifestations during routine follow-up in women receiving subcutaneous gestrinone implants for gynecological indications.Methods
This retrospective, descriptive case series included 50 women with stage II or III lipedema and concomitant estrogen-dependent gynecological disorders treated between May 2024 and May 2025 at a specialized multidisciplinary outpatient clinic in São Paulo, Brazil. Participants received two biodegradable subcutaneous gestrinone implants (35 mg and 50 mg; total dose: 85 mg) exclusively for gynecological indications. Clinical outcomes were extracted retrospectively from medical records and analyzed descriptively. Improvement proportions were calculated using the number of patients presenting each manifestation at baseline as the denominator. Outcomes were based on patient reports and qualitative clinical assessments without standardized instruments.Results
Among gynecological manifestations, improvement was documented in 43 of 50 patients with menstrual pain (86%), six of 13 with menorrhagia (46.2%), and two of 50 with premenstrual symptoms (4%). Among lipedema-related manifestations, improvement was documented in 35 of 39 patients with edema (89.7%) and 33 of 41 with spontaneous pain (80.5%). Qualitative improvement in skin appearance and clinically assessed tissue fibrosis was documented in 31 of 50 (62%) and 28 of 50 (56%) patients, respectively. Overall clinical status was reported as improved by 42 patients (84%), stable by six (12%), and worsened by two (4%).Conclusions
Improvements in pain and edema, alongside qualitative changes in skin appearance and clinically assessed tissue fibrosis, were documented during routine follow-up. Given the retrospective design, absence of a comparison group, and nonstandardized assessments, these observations cannot be attributed to gestrinone or interpreted as evidence of its efficacy for lipedema. Prospective controlled studies using standardized outcome measures are warranted.
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BibTeX
@article{souza2026lipedemarelated,
title = {{Lipedema-Related Outcomes During Gestrinone Treatment for Estrogen-Dependent Gynecological Disorders: A Real-World Retrospective Case Series.}},
author = {Paula Frederichi de Souza},
journal = {Cureus},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.7759/cureus.116856},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42927387},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Lipedema-Related Outcomes During Gestrinone Treatment for Estrogen-Dependent Gynecological Disorders: A Real-World Retrospective Case Series.
AU - Paula Frederichi de Souza
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/24
JO - Cureus
DO - 10.7759/cureus.116856
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42927387
AB - Background The clinical course of lipedema in women receiving hormonal treatment for concomitant estrogen-dependent gynecological disorders remains insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to describe gynecological and lipedema-related manifestations during routine follow-up in women receiving subcutaneous gestrinone implants for gynecological indications.Methods This retrospective, descriptive case series included 50 women with stage II or III lipedema and concomitant estrogen-dependent gynecological disorders treated between May 2024 and May 2025 at a specialized multidisciplinary outpatient clinic in São Paulo, Brazil. Participants received two biodegradable subcutaneous gestrinone implants (35 mg and 50 mg; total dose: 85 mg) exclusively for gynecological indications. Clinical outcomes were extracted retrospectively from medical records and analyzed descriptively. Improvement proportions were calculated using the number of patients presenting each manifestation at baseline as the denominator. Outcomes were based on patient reports and qualitative clinical assessments without standardized instruments.Results Among gynecological manifestations, improvement was documented in 43 of 50 patients with menstrual pain (86%), six of 13 with menorrhagia (46.2%), and two of 50 with premenstrual symptoms (4%). Among lipedema-related manifestations, improvement was documented in 35 of 39 patients with edema (89.7%) and 33 of 41 with spontaneous pain (80.5%). Qualitative improvement in skin appearance and clinically assessed tissue fibrosis was documented in 31 of 50 (62%) and 28 of 50 (56%) patients, respectively. Overall clinical status was reported as improved by 42 patients (84%), stable by six (12%), and worsened by two (4%).Conclusions Improvements in pain and edema, alongside qualitative changes in skin appearance and clinically assessed tissue fibrosis, were documented during routine follow-up. Given the retrospective design, absence of a comparison group, and nonstandardized assessments, these observations cannot be attributed to gestrinone or interpreted as evidence of its efficacy for lipedema. Prospective controlled studies using standardized outcome measures are warranted.
SN - 2168-8184
ER -