Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogue (GnRH-A) Therapy

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding. GnRH-a therapy causes a significant reduction in severe menstrual bleeding. This relieves anemia and reduces the need for Reference blood transfusions Opens New Window. But blood loss returns to pretreatment levels when this treatment is stopped.

Uterine fibroids. Fibroids usually shrink to 35% to 65% of their original size.^{Reference 1}

• Smaller fibroids are easier to remove surgically (myomectomy).
• Smaller fibroids result in fewer surgical complications and less blood loss during surgery.
• Small fibroids may completely disappear after 12 weeks of treatment.
• A vaginal hysterectomy may be possible, which would avoid an abdominal hysterectomy.

Ovarian cysts. GnRH-a therapy may reduce or prevent ovarian cysts that are related to ovulation.

Chronic pelvic pain. Women report improvement in pelvic pain at the end of treatment with:

• Leuprolide (Lupron Depot).
• Nafarelin (Synarel).

Recurrence

• These medicines are only a temporary solution. When treatment stops, chronic pelvic pain and fibroid growth will gradually return until menopause.

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