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Objective: To compare the effects of dienogest and a combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) after laparoscopic surgery on pain and quality of life in women with severe endometriosis. Methods: A randomized double‐blind pilot study was conducted from March 2018 to March 2020 in women with severe endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopic surgery. A total of 108 patients who had undergone laparoscopic surgery received dienogest, COCP, or placebo daily for 6 months. Primary and secondary outcomes were compared between the three groups. Results: Treatment with dienogest or COCP was associated with improved self‐reported pain after 6 months of treatment, as evidenced by significantly lower scores for pelvic pain and dyspareunia compared with placebo (P < 0.05). Significant differences in overall quality of life score were observed over 6 months in the dienogest, COCP, and placebo groups (mean difference 22.00, 23.45, and 6.45 points, respectively; P < 0.001). Post‐hoc analysis revealed a significant difference in overall quality of life score between the placebo group and the dienogest (P < 0.001) and COCP groups (P = 0.004). Conclusion: Postoperative administration of dienogest or COCP reduced endometriosis‐associated pain and improved quality of life in women with severe endometriosis. Clinical trials registration: https://en.irct.ir/trial/43070. Synopsis: Postoperative administration of dienogest or the combined oral contraceptive pill is an effective treatment with few adverse effects, reduced endometriosis‐associated pain, and improved quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Recently, it has been suggested that microbial infections play a role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. One of the most commonly suggested infections associated with the pathogenesis of endometriosis is human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The present study is aimed at evaluating the prevalence, types, and risk factors for HPV infection in women with endometriosis and at investigating the association of upper and lower genital tract involvement with HPV and the severity of endometriosis. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 81 patients with endometriosis, referred to Rasool Akram Medical Complex in Tehran, Iran, for laparoscopic surgery. The patients' demographic, clinical, and anthropometric data were extracted from their medical records, as well as interviews. The stage of disease was scored based on the revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine (rASRM) classification. The HPV-positive and HPV-negative cases were compared using the chi-square test for categorical variables and Student t -test for continuous variables. Results. Twenty (24.69%) out of 81 women with endometriosis were infected with HPV (nine cases of pelvic HPV, nine cases of vaginal HPV, and two cases of both pelvic and vaginal HPV). The HPV-infected women had a significantly lower infertility rate (15% vs. 45.9%; P = 0.014). The VAS scores for dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia were relatively the same in the two groups (P > 0.05). HPV 6 and HPV 11 were the most common types of HPV, reported in 35% and 30% of endometriosis cases, respectively. Conclusion. The prevalence of HPV was 24.69%, and low-risk genotypes were dominant. No significant association was found between HPV and the severity of endometriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]