Gastrointestinal angiodysplasia is a common cause of occult bleeding. Surgical and endoscopic treatments are often ineffective. Recently, estrogen-progesterone therapy proved to be effective in these patients. We describe herein an 84-year-old man who presented with prolonged gastrointestinal bleeding, in whom treatment with estrogen-progesterone stopped the bleeding. We suggest that hormonal therapy should be considered in cases of prolonged obscure gastrointestinal bleeding thought to be due to angiodysplasia. This therapy should be instituted intermittently for a prolonged period. The role of progesterone, especially in men, should be reconsidered.
Key words
Gastrointestinal angiodysplasia
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Estrogen
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Progesterone
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Gastrointestinal bleeding