What are Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonists (GnRH)?

Question: What are Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonists (GnRH)?

Answer: Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists (GnRH) are a type of medication that suppresses ovulation by stopping the production of estrogen and progesterone. Lupron (leuprolide) is a type of GnRH sometimes prescribed for estrogen-dependent conditions such as bad endometriosis, severe menorrhagia, and before assisted reproduction.

While GnRH agonists may help reduce symptoms PMS or PMDD, doctors only prescribe them in the most extreme cases. In fact, many doctors never prescribe GnRH agonists for PMS or PMDD. This is because of the frequently severe, side effects of GnRH agonists which mimic that of menopause including hot flashes and night sweats, as well as the fact that treatment with these drugs is limited to six months. Other treatments for PMS and PMDD are effective without the horrible side effects that GnRH agonists cause.

See: Lupron – What to Expect When Your Doctor Prescribes Lupron, Including What Real Women Say About Lupron

Some women should never use GnRH agonists. This includes women who have mild continuous depression that gets worse during PMS, or those who have severe PMDD. Because GnRH agonists raise your risk for osteoporosis, your doctor may want to monitor your bone mass through bone density testing.

Drugs A-Z: Lupron

_Source:

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD); UpToDate; http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=endocrin/10662&title=PMDD+(Premenstrual+syndrome); accessed 07/24/08.