---
title: Does hormone replacement therapy prevent low-estrogen side effects of GnRH agonist treatment for severe PMS?
description: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists help mood symptoms in severe PMS but cause low-estrogen side effects. Adding hormone replacement therapy prevents some
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-need-for-add-back-with-gonadotrophin-releasing-hormone-agonist-therapy-1996/
---

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- Does hormone replacement therapy prevent low-estrogen side effects of GnRH agonist treatment for severe PMS?

Randomised trial, 1996

# Does hormone replacement therapy prevent low-estrogen side effects of GnRH agonist treatment for severe PMS?

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists help mood symptoms in severe PMS but cause low-estrogen side effects. Adding hormone replacement therapy prevents some side effects (bone loss and hot flashes) but not all progestin side effects.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with severe PMS (discussed in referenced studies)

## What they did

A discussion of evidence from multiple studies examining gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist therapy, specifically goserelin (Zoladex), for severe PMS. The article reviews what happens when hormone replacement therapy is added to prevent low-estrogen side effects like bone loss and hot flashes.

## What they found

GnRH agonist therapy (goserelin) helped mood symptoms in severe PMS, which are estrogen-responsive. When hormone replacement therapy was added to prevent bone loss and hot flashes, the mood benefit was maintained, but progestin side effects still occurred.

## What it means for you

For severe PMS, GnRH agonists can help mood but cause low-estrogen problems. Adding hormones helps prevent bone loss and hot flashes but does not prevent all side effects. Individual treatment may need to be tailored. This is a review article discussing evidence rather than a report of new research.

## About the study

Original title The need for add-back with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist therapy Authors Studd J, Leather AT Journal British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Year 1996 Study design Randomised trial What was tested GnRH agonist therapy (goserelin) with and without hormone replacement therapy add-back Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.1996.tb09506.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.1996.tb09506.x)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Estradiol, progesterone and hormone therapy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormone-therapy/)[Endometriosis](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-endometriosis/)

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