Drug Treatments

Drug treatment by gonadorelin analogues

There are a number of drugs that are used for this treatment:

• Buserelin - given by nasal spray or injection administered daily
• Goserelin - by injection every 28 days
• Leuprorelin Acetate - by injection every 4 weeks
• Nafarelin - nasal spray daily
• Triptorelin - by injection every 4 weeks

These drugs mimic menopause by blocking the hormone (gonadotrophin releasing hormone) that is responsible for the production of oestrogen, the female hormone. These are known as gonadorelin analogues.

They induce rapid menopause by blocking oestrogen production with the result that the blood levels to the fibroid drop and the fibroids get smaller, as they would after menopause.

This is only a temporary treatment for fibroids, sometimes used to reduce them before surgery or menopause. However, drugs should not be used for longer than 6 months and should not be repeated.

The side effects are menopausal-like - hot flushes, increased sweating, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, osteoporosis, mood swings, memory loss and hypersensitivity reactions. Some gynaecologists will not use these drugs, as the side effects are so unpleasant.

When drug treatment stops the fibroids return to their pre-treatment size within 24 weeks.

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