GnRH agonist for postpartum contraception: biochemical, hormonal and endometrial effects.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether GnRH agonist administration induces changes in biochemical, hormonal and endometrial parameters in breastfeeding women.


METHODS
Starting at 6 weeks postpartum, fully breastfeeding mothers began treatment with GnRH agonist, receiving 300 micrograms and 600 micrograms per day by nasal spray for 6 months. A third group of breastfeeding women who were users of IUDs served as controls. Eighteen biochemical analyses were quantified in serum. Blood samples were collected at 0, 3 and 6 months after treatment and endometrial biopsies were obtained at 0 and 6 months. No other method of contraception was employed.


RESULTS
Interindividual and intergroup differences were observed in clinical chemistry. According to the hormonal levels and the histopathologic analysis, various grades of follicular activity were found in the treated groups. No pregnancies occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Because GnRH agonist treatment had no significant deleterious effects on the parameters studied, this treatment could represent a feasible and safe approach to postpartum contraception.
Vega
R R
RR
Department of Reproductive Biology, School of Medicine, University of Coahuila, C.P., México.
Barraza-Vázquez
A
A
Vega
M G
MG
Fernández-González
E M
EM
Mayagoitia
S B
SB
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002064:Buserelin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000139:chemically induced; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D008055:Lipids; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D002064:Buserelin