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Clinical aspects of LHRH analogues in gynaecology: a review
Author(s) -
McLACHLAN ROBERT I.,
HEALY DAVID L.,
BURGER HENRY G.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1986.tb07928.x
Subject(s) - anovulation , medicine , hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism , buserelin , dysfunctional uterine bleeding , hypoestrogenism , luteinizing hormone , endocrinology , gonadotropin releasing hormone , potency , uterine fibroids , desensitization (medicine) , hormone , gynecology , endometrium , biology , receptor , in vitro , polycystic ovary , agonist , insulin resistance , biochemistry , insulin
Summary. LHRH agonists are synthetic peptide analogues of hypothalamic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) with superior potency and longer duration of gonadotrophin release. Paradoxically, repeated administration causes pituitary desensitization with diminished gonadotrophin and oestradiol secretion. A state of hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism is reversibly induced; plasma oestrogen can be reduced to castrate levels. LHRH agonists reliably induce anovulation but are unlikely to replace existing contraceptive methods in most normal women. By contrast these agents offer, for the first time, the prospect of inducing a reversible pseudomenopause essentially free of side‐effects. LHRH analogues promise to have a profound impact upon the management of a diverse range of oestrogen‐dependent gynaecological diseases both benign and malignant. In particular, they may shortly become the gynaecological treatment of choice in endometriosis, as well as becoming part of the management of common gynaecological disorders such as dysfunctional uterine bleeding and uterine fibroids.