title: Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone receptor antagonist may reduce postmenopausal flushing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hormone therapy (HT) is the most effective treatment of postmenopausal (PMP) flushing; however, its use is often contraindicated. As an alternative option, we explored the efficacy of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) receptor antagonist cetrorelix in women with severe PMP flushing.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted an open-label treatment with cetrorelix 250 μg twice a day on 10 women with a baseline daily flush score of 15 or higher for a period of 4 to 6 weeks. The response to treatment was evaluated through monitoring serum gonadotropin levels, flush scores, and quality of life.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, the mean (SEM) daily flush score was 36.1 ± 1.8 (mean ± SEM range, 29-44). All women demonstrated a decrease in serum luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone during treatment, but the premenopausal levels of both gonadotropins were reached in only two women. The mean daily flush score decreased by 42.0% ± 7.7% (P < 0.001). This was caused by a decrease in flush frequency of 26.2% ± 6.0% (P < 0.01) and by a decrease in flush severity of 21.2% ± 7.7% (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In an open-label setting, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone receptor blockade reduced PMP flushing by at least 25% in 8 of 10 women with severe flushing. A placebo-controlled study will be needed to demonstrate the true benefit of this approach. The present data suggest that the treatment period must be longer than 6 weeks to capture the maximal effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, The Netherlands. pvangastel@rijnstate.nl
authors.forename: Petri
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: van Gastel
authors.forename: Moniek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van der Zanden
authors.forename: Darryl
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Telting
authors.forename: Margreet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Filius
authors.forename: Laszlo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bancsi
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: de Boer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017698:Postmenopause; D011788:Quality of Life; D011966:Receptors, LHRH / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D011966:Receptors, LHRH; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; C062876:cetrorelix