GnRH agonist
GnRH agonist
A GnRH agonist (gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist) is a type of medication which affects gonadotropins and sex hormones. They are used for a variety of medical conditions including in fertility medicine, for endometriosis, prostate cancer, breast cancer, menorrhagia, uterine fibroids, and for transgender people, among other uses.
Mechanism of action[edit | edit source]
GnRH agonists work by initially stimulating the release of the gonadotropins luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland. However, with continued administration, GnRH agonists desensitize the pituitary gland to GnRH. After a transient increase, continuous administration of GnRH agonists leads to downregulation of LH and FSH levels followed by a suppression of ovarian and testicular steroid biosynthesis.
Medical uses[edit | edit source]
GnRH agonists are useful in:
- Suppression of spontaneous ovulation as part of IVF protocol for women undergoing ovarian hyperstimulation.
- Endometriosis
- Uterine fibroids
- Prostate cancer
- Breast cancer
- Menorrhagia
- Precocious puberty
- Some hormone-responsive cancers
- Transgender people
Side effects[edit | edit source]
Common side effects of GnRH agonists include:
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
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