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

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

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

Common side effects of GnRH agonists include:

• Hot flashes
• Vaginal dryness
• Headaches
• Mood changes
• Bone loss
• Erectile dysfunction

See also

• GnRH antagonist
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
• Gonadotropin

References

GnRH agonist Resources
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