Review, 1995
Can GnRHa hormone therapy treat premenstrual syndrome?
GnRHa is used to treat PMS, but a 6-month course causes about 8.2% bone loss that may not fully recover, which is a concern for long-term use.
What they did
Reviewed scientific literature on long-term GnRHa hormone therapy for various conditions including PMS, endometriosis, fibroids, and others.
What they found
GnRHa is used to treat PMS and related conditions. A 6-month course of GnRHa is associated with up to 8.2% decrease in lumbar bone density, which may not be entirely reversible 6 months after stopping the drug.
What it means for you
GnRHa can help PMS symptoms, but the bone loss is a significant drawback, especially if someone needs treatment longer than 6 months. The review suggests adding hormones back ('add-back' therapy) might reduce these side effects, but says more studies are needed.
8.2%
Decrease in lumbar bone density after 6 months of GnRHa
About the study
- Original title
- Long-term gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy: the evolving issue of steroidal "add-back" paradigms
- Authors
- Adashi EY
- Journal
- The Keio journal of medicine
- Year
- 1995
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- Long-term GnRHa therapy with or without steroid add-back regimens
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.2302/kjm.44.124
Topics
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