title: Sequential gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist/low-dose oral contraceptive treatment for leiomyomata uteri.
abstract: On the basis that gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) induce a significant but transient shrinkage of leiomyomas and that oral contraceptive use may be associated with a decreased risk of fibroids, we tested the hypothesis that sequential GnRHa/low-dose oral contraceptive treatment could be a therapeutic alternative in perimenopausal women with uterine fibroids. Six premenopausal women with leiomyomata uteri were treated with D-tryptophan-6-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (D-Trp-6-LHRH) depot (Decapeptyl 3.75) for 6 months and demonstrated a significant reduction in mean uterine volume. A low-dose oral contraceptive containing 30 micrograms of ethinyl oestradiol plus 150 micrograms of desogestrel was given during the ensuing 12 months. When GnRHa therapy was discontinued, there was a rapid regrowth of the uterine fibroids and the uterine volume had reached, or even exceeded, pretreatment values by the eighth to 12th month of contraceptive therapy. Sequential GnRHa/low-dose oral contraceptive treatment is not a useful tool for leiomyomata uteri.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Balasch
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Manau
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mimó
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Durán
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Puerto
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Vanrell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005498:Follicular Phase; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects*; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone