GnRH-a Therapy: An Effectual Endometriosis Treatment – Part II

GnRH-a treatment for endometriosis has side effects that mimic menopausal symptoms caused due to reduced estrogen levels. However, the side effects end once the course of the GnRH-a treatment is completed. The side effects that are experienced comprise of:

• Increased bone loss of close to one percent every month that would to some extent is repealed by additionally consuming low-estrogen dosages. A majority of women reverted to the pre-therapy bone density subsequent to halting the GnRH-a treatment.
• Since the therapy is intended to arrest menses, if one still gets normal menses during the therapy period, then one’s doctor must be promptly informed about it.
• Some women suddenly experience feelings of quite high body heat accompanied by intense perspiration, with redness in the area above the waist, feelings of panic and angst, mild to increased heart palpitations.
• Moodiness, lack of lubrication or dryness in the vagina.
• Plummeting sex drive.
• A rise in levels of cholesterol.
• Lowered HDL or good cholesterol also known as high density lipoprotein.
• Sleeplessness, headache.

The above side effects caused due to decreased estrogen levels are wholly allayed by undertaking estrogen add-back treatment alongside GnRH-a treatment. When the treatment concludes, the bone density eventually picks up though not totally in some cases.

The widely established add-back therapy comprises of low dosage of estrogen and progestin that is believed to cause an adequate surge in the hormone levels so as to be beneficial to the bones, but stopping short of encouraging endometriosis proliferation.  The medications combo comprise of:

• GnRH-a therapy along with estrogen.
• GnRH-a therapy alongside progestin and low dosage estrogen.
• GnRH-a therapy with estrogen, progestin (optional) and etidronate disodium or Fosamax.

Some researchers beg to differ regarding the time and therapy intervals of the add-back treatment. Few doctors consider commencing therapy solely with GnRH-a, prior to employing the add-back treatment. Though latest studies have revealed that getting started with add-back treatment immediately will not impede the endometriosis respite achieved from GnRH-a treatment.

The GnRH-a treatment is quite costly mounting to some hundreds of dollars per month that does not take into account the outlay of add-back therapy. One must desist from GnRH-a, if one is pregnant. Though pregnancy is virtually impossible during the treatment course of GnRH-a as menses are halted, yet it is advisable to employ the barrier techniques of birth control, for instance condoms when undergoing the treatment course.

Read more at: GnRH-a Therapy: An Effectual Endometriosis Treatment – Part I

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