Efficacy of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist in the treatment of uterine leiomyomata: long-term follow-up.

The authors employed a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) (D-His6-pro9-NET-GnRH) to treat 19 patients with symptomatic uterine leiomyomata, by daily subcutaneous injections (4 micrograms/kg) for 6 months. After therapy, patients were followed for 6 months without any therapy. Uterine volumes were measured by serial pelvic examinations and pelvic sonography. Measurements of serum estradiol, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone were used to assess treatment response. Pituitary desensitization and hypoestrogenemia were achieved in all within 8 weeks, and in 18 of 19, hypoestrogenemia was maintained for the duration. Uterine volume at the conclusion of therapy (207.5 +/- 152.7 ml) was significantly reduced in all patients when compared with pretreatment sizes (420.8 +/- 276.4, P less than 0.05). Side effects included hot flashes (78%), vaginal dryness (32%), and transient frontal headaches (55%). All patients reported partial or complete relief from their symptomatic leiomyomata. Uterine volume at the conclusion of follow-up (345.4 +/- 195.7 ml) was greater than at the conclusion of therapy. Menses resumed in all patients within 4 to 8 weeks. In conclusion, GnRH-a therapy does not provide definitive therapy for symptomatic uterine leiomyomata but is effective in reducing the size of leiomyomata as a temporary measure. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy may be useful as an adjunct before myomectomy or hysterectomy and deserves further investigation.