leuprolide and Ovarian-Diseases

Different gonadotropin-releasing-hormone agonist (GnRH-a) formulations with different potency and associated side effects, therefore, different compliance and persistence of therapy. This study was to evaluate the difference of hormonal profile and side effects due to hypoestrogenic status after treatment of leuprorelin and triptorelin in Chinese women with ovarian endometrioma after conservative surgical treatment.. A total of 302 women underwent laparoscopic excision of ovarian endometriomas with rASRM III and IV were enrolled in the study.Subjects were randomized into two groups with use of a random table. Twenty two patients dropped out during the study. Thus 142 patients had three doses of i.m. leuprorelin (group A) and 138 patients had three doses of i.m. triptorelin(group B) at 4 weeks intervals after surgical treatment. Menopausal symptoms were evalutaed using a questionnaire and serum sex hormonal levels were also measured during the follow-up.. At week 4 after the treatment, most of the patients in leuprorelin group have no obvious side effects. After 9 weeks, bone pain, hot flashes and sweating, and irregular bleeding were the main side effects and showed no difference between the groups. Anxiety, depression, vaginal dryness, headache, and acne rates were all significantly higher in triptorelin group than in leuprorelin group. A significant difference in FSH (p=0.003), LH (p=0.026) and E2 (p=0.002) levels between the groups were observed after 21 days of the GnRHa treatment. The FSH (p=0.021) and E2 (p=0.033) levels remained higher in the leuprorelin group than the triptorelin group after six weeks of treatment, but the difference of LH(p=0.917) level was no longer discernible.. Leuprorelin in down-regulating the pituitary-ovarian function was more moderate, and the hormonal levels decrease progressively and gradually, therefore, with lower rate of menopausal symptoms. Leuprorelin acetate maybe better tolerated than triptorelin.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Biomarkers; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; China; Drug Administration Schedule; Endometriosis; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hormone Antagonists; Hormones; Humans; Laparoscopy; Leuprolide; Middle Aged; Ovarian Diseases; Single-Blind Method; Treatment Outcome; Triptorelin Pamoate; Young Adult

In order to assess the endocrinological changes associated with 2 types of low-dose GnRH agonists depot as well as their clinical efficacy, we performed a randomized prospective comparison study of patients having uterine leiomyomas or endometriosis.. A prospective randomized study involving 67 patients with uterine leiomyomas or endometriosis was carried out. These patients were randomly administered either buserelin MP 1.8 mg (Group B, n = 34) or leuprolide 1.88 mg (Group L, n = 33). In each group we evaluated the symptoms of genital bleeding and hot flashes during GnRHa treatment, as well as the levels of serum LH, FSH, and estradiol 8 weeks after the start of treatment. In addition, the endometrial thickness was measured by transvaginal ultrasonography, and changes in the volume of the uterine leiomyoma or endometrial cyst at the end of treatment. The GnRHa depot was administered from 3 to 8 times, 28 days apart, in both groups.. The incidence of menstruation-like genital bleeding 8 weeks after treatment was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in Group B. However this difference disappeared by 12 weeks after treatment. The climacteric symptom of hot flashes was found to be significantly (p < 0.01) more severe in Group L, and this tendency continued until 20 weeks after treatment. The 2 groups did not differ significantly with regard to the levels of the serum LH, FSH, and estradiol at 8 weeks after treatment or in the endometrial thickness at the end of the GnRHa treatment. In both groups, the volumes of the uterine leiomyomas were significantly (p < 0.01) lower after the treatment. In contrast, the volumes of the endometrial cysts did not decrease after administration of GnRHa in both groups.. Leuprolide 1.88 induced pituitary down regulation more rapidly than buserelin MP. However the hypoestrogenic symptoms such as hot flashes were more severe in cases treated with leuprolide 1.88 than in those treated with buserelin MP. Our data confirm that the therapeutic efficacy of buserelin MP and leuprolide 1.88 are similar, with both being sufficient to treat uterine leiomyomas and endometriosis.

Topics: Adult; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; Buserelin; Endometriosis; Endometrium; Estradiol; Female; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Hot Flashes; Humans; Leiomyoma; Leuprolide; Luteinizing Hormone; Male; Middle Aged; Ovarian Diseases; Prospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography; Uterine Diseases; Uterine Hemorrhage

Thirty-six women with ultrasonographic diagnosis of ovarian endometrioma (bilateral in nine of them), have been treated laparoscopically. After the surgical procedure the patients were assigned to one of the following regimes: Gn-RH-a for 3 months, oral contraceptives if they wanted to avoid pregnancy, or nothing. The follow-up consisted in 1-3-6-12 months ultrasound. The first recurrences were observed at the 6-month ultrasound with an overall recurrence rate after 12 months of 11%. Improvement of pain symptoms occurred in 87% of the patients and fertility rate was 45%.

Topics: Adult; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; CA-125 Antigen; Combined Modality Therapy; Contraceptives, Oral; Delayed-Action Preparations; Endometriosis; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Goserelin; Humans; Laparoscopy; Leuprolide; Ovarian Diseases; Ovary; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Recurrence; Triptorelin Pamoate; Ultrasonography

To determine if combination GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) and oral contraceptive (OC) therapy was more effective than GnRH-a or OC alone in the treatment of hirsute women with ovarian hyperandrogenism.. Thirty-three hirsute women (ages 15 to 39 years) were randomized into three groups: 3.75 mg IM leuprolide acetate (LA) depot every 28 days for 6 months, combination monophasic oral contraceptive for 6 months (OC), or GnRH-a plus OC for 6 months (LA + OC).. Comparative studies of changes in hormonal and hair parameters were performed at baseline, 3, and 6 months after starting therapy.. After 6 months, serum T and LH levels were decreased significantly in all groups although reduction was greater in GnRH-a groups than OC alone. The reduction of free T was significantly greater with LA + OC compared with LA or OC alone. This could be a consequence of the significant rise in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in LA + OC and OC groups compared with LA in which there was no change in SHBG. Reduced facila hair density and decrease in hirsutism score was observed in both GnRH-a groups after 6 months.. "Add-back" OC therapy used in combination with a GnRH-a increases SHBG and more effectively lowers free T levels in women with ovarian hyperandrogenism. Enhanced suppression of "bioavailable" androgens with combined GnRH-a and OC therapy failed to improve significantly the therapeutic effect of GnRH-a treatment alone on hirsutism.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Contraceptives, Oral; Drug Therapy, Combination; Endometrium; Ethinyl Estradiol; Female; Hirsutism; Humans; Hyperandrogenism; Leuprolide; Luteinizing Hormone; Norethindrone; Ovarian Diseases; Testosterone

The aim of this study was to compare long-term use of combined oral contraceptive (COC) after gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist plus add-back therapy with dienogest (DNG) treatment as medical treatments after surgery for ovarian endometrioma.. This prospective cohort study analyzed 52 reproductive-aged women who underwent surgery for ovarian endometrioma and received postoperative medical treatment with either COC after GnRH agonist (n = 20) or DNG (n = 32) for 24 months. Changes in quality-of-life (QOL) and bone mineral density (BMD) were compared according to treatment. In addition, recurrence of pain and lesions were compared.. Baseline characteristics did not differ in demographic profiles and factors associated with endometriosis or QOL. During 24 months of treatment, no differences in any component of QOL were found between the two groups. BMD at the lumbar spine significantly decreased after the first 6 months of treatment in both COC after GnRH agonist (-3.5%) and DNG (-2.3%) groups, but the groups did not differ statistically. After 6 months, further decrease in BMD was not observed until 24 months in both groups. In addition, no cases of pain or endometrioma recurrence were found.. Our results suggest that long-term use of COC after GnRH agonist plus add-back therapy is comparable to dienogest as a long-term postoperative medical treatment for endometriosis.

Topics: Adult; Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; Endometriosis; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Leuprolide; Nandrolone; Ovarian Diseases; Prospective Studies; Secondary Prevention; Young Adult

This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist against docetaxel-induced gonadotoxicity in a mouse model. Forty mice (female B6, 6-8 weeks old, weighing 16-18 g) were divided randomly into four groups. Groups 1 and 2 were treated with a single intraperitoneal dose of 0.1 mL normal saline; Groups 3 and 4 received 30 mg/kg docetaxel. Groups 2 and 4 were pre-treated with a subcutaneous injection of 0.3 mg leuprolide acetate, 2 weeks before the administration of docetaxel. The ovaries were removed 6 weeks after docetaxel or saline injection. Total follicle number decreased in Group 3 compared to Group 1. There was a significant difference between the Groups 3 and 4 in the total follicle number. Many ovarian follicles were stained for Ki-67 in Groups 1, 2, and 4; however, in Group 3, only a small number were stained and destruction of the ovarian structure was observed. There was no immunohistochemistry staining with γ-H2AX in Groups 1, 2, and 4. However, γ-H2AX staining of the primordial follicles was observed in Group 3. GnRH agonists may protect ovarian follicles from docetaxel-induced ovarian damage considering the total follicle number, follicle proliferation, and double-strand DNA breaks. Impact statement Protection of the ovarian reserve and prevention of infertility are the primary quality of life issues in young cancer patients. In this study, ovarian suppression by gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists protected ovarian follicles from docetaxel-induced ovarian damage considering the total follicle number, follicle proliferation, and double-strand DNA break. The findings of our study will provide useful information for fertility preservation in women with cancer, undergoing chemotherapy with docetaxel.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Docetaxel; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Leuprolide; Mice; Ovarian Diseases; Ovary; Random Allocation; Taxoids

As endometrioma frequently recurs after conservative surgery, long-term postoperative medical treatment for the prevention of recurrence is necessary. However, it has not been elucidated whether long-term postoperative medical treatment is crucial to all patients until menopause. Thereupon, this study was conducted to evaluate the age-related recurrence patterns after conservative surgery for endometrioma.. A retrospective cohort study was performed on a total of 420 reproductive-aged women who underwent conservative surgery for endometrioma between January 2000 and December 2010. Ultrasonography was used during the follow-up period to detect endometrioma recurrence. Patients were classified into two groups according to the use of postoperative medications. The first group was observation only, while the second received gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists followed by cyclic oral contraceptives. The cumulative recurrence rate of endometrioma was compared according to the age at surgery (20-29 years, 30-39 years, 40-45 years) within each group. Subgroup analysis was performed according to the age between the two groups.. The median follow-up duration after surgery was 29.0 months (range 6-159 months) for all patients. After adjusting for parity, size and bilaterality of cyst, and stage with American Society for Reproductive Medicine classification of endometriosis which was statistically different, within the group of no treatment, the cumulative recurrence rate in 40-45 years (10.2%) was significantly lower compared with those in 20-29 years (43.3%; hazard ratio (HR)=0.04; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.01-0.52) and 30-39 years (22.5%; HR=0.19; 95% CI=0.04-0.92). However, there were no differences within the group of postoperative medical treatment. When we compared between the two groups, the cumulative recurrence rate was significantly different in 20-29 years (8.1 vs 43.3%; p<0.001) and 30-39 years (5.4 vs 22.5%; p=0.007), but there was no difference in 40-45 years (4.5 vs 10.2%; p=0.901).. Our preliminary results demonstrate that the risk of endometrioma recurrence decreases with age. After the age of forty, the recurrence rate does not differ according to the use of postoperative medication. Based on our results, postoperative medical treatment may be individualized according to the patient's age at the time of surgery. Further studies are needed to identify patients who may benefit from postoperative medication.

Topics: Adult; Aging; Combined Modality Therapy; Contraceptives, Oral, Sequential; Endometriosis; Female; Fertility Agents, Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Laparoscopy; Leuprolide; Middle Aged; Organ Sparing Treatments; Ovarian Diseases; Ovary; Republic of Korea; Retrospective Studies; Risk; Secondary Prevention; Ultrasonography; Young Adult

Hyperinsulinemia can lead to pathologic ovarian growth and androgen production.. A 29-year-old woman developed an autoantibody to the insulin receptor (type B insulin resistance), causing extreme insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. Testosterone levels were elevated to the adult male range. Treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog led to normalization of testosterone, despite persistent extreme insulin resistance.. This case demonstrates that gonadotropins are necessary for insulin to cause pathologic ovarian androgen production. Suppression of gonadotropins with GnRH analogs may be a useful therapeutic option in patients with severe hyperandrogenism or ovarian enlargement because of hyperinsulinemia.

Topics: Adult; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; Autoantibodies; Cyclophosphamide; Dexamethasone; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Hyperandrogenism; Hyperinsulinism; Immunosuppressive Agents; Insulin Resistance; Leuprolide; Ovarian Diseases; Receptor, Insulin; Rituximab; Testosterone

To evaluate the short-term effect of leuprorelin acetate microspheres in preventing recurrence of ovarian endometrioma after conservative surgery.. From January 2011 to September 2011, 190 ovarian endometrioma patients undergoing conservative laparoscopic surgery at Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University were enrolled in this retrospective study. Among 184 patients were followed up, the range of following up were 12 to 21 months. 116 cases presented dysmenorrheal. Based on postoperative treatment, they were classified into 124 cases treated by domestic gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist(GnRH-a) post-operatively for 3-6 months and 60 cases without postoperative treatment. Among all, 63 patients were treated with, that was leuprorelin acetate microspheres for injection (Beiyi, 3.75 mg, q28 d), 61 patients were treated with imported GnRH-a post-operatively for 3-6 months, that were either Zoladex(3.6 mg, q28 d), Dophereline(3.75 mg, q28 d) or Enatone (3.75 mg, q28 d). The recurrence and pain improvement were compared among those groups.. (1) The total rate of cyst recurrence was 12.5% (23/184) while the average recurrent time was (13.7 ± 2.6) months (2-21 months). The cyst recurrence rate was significantly lower in patients treated with GnRH-a post-operatively than those who didn't take medications [21.7% (13/60) versus 8.1% (10/24), P < 0.05]. However, there was no significant difference between domestic GnRH-a group and the imported one [7.9% (5/63) versus 8.2% (5/61), P > 0.05]. (2) After conservative surgery, symptoms were found to be relieved in 87.1% (101/116) patients among 116 patients complaining of dysmenorrheal pre-operatively and the pain recurrence rate was 12.9% (13/101). However, there was no significant difference in either symptom relief rate or pain recurrence rate among different groups. The symptom relief rate were 87% (33/38), 86% (37/43) and 89% (31/35) while the pain recurrence rate were 12% (4/33), 14% (5/37) and 13% (4/31) respectively in none, imported GnRH-a group and domestic GnRH-a group.. Leuprorelin acetate microspheres could be effective in preventing recurrence of ovarian endometrioma, but not in symptom relieving after conservative surgery in short term. The effect of domestic and imported GnRH-a was similar.

Topics: Adult; Dysmenorrhea; Endometriosis; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Goserelin; Humans; Laparoscopy; Leuprolide; Middle Aged; Ovarian Diseases; Retrospective Studies; Secondary Prevention; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

The aim of this study was to evaluate the improvement in catamenial chronic pelvic pain (CPP) after Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone analogue (GnRH-a) administration in women affected by adenomyosis or endometriosis. We retrospectively analysed clinical data of 63 premenopausal women with clinical suspect of adenomyosis (15 women, Group A) or endometriosis (48 women, Group B), which received GnRH-a in order to reduce CPP intensity during the time on surgery waiting list. Main outcome measures were variation of CPP intensity, numbers of days requiring analgesics and lost work productivity before and three months after GnRH-a administration. Compared to baseline, a significant decrease in CPP intensity (p < 0.05) was observed in both groups, even if this reduction was significantly higher in Group A than in Group B (p < 0.001). In both groups, moreover, a significant reduction in number of days requiring analgesics (p < 0.05) and lost work productivity (p < 0.05) was detected. In conclusion, GnRH-a administration in women with clinical suspect of adenomyosis induces a greater reduction in CPP when compared to women with endometriosis, thus representing a potential ex adiuvantibus criteria, helping TV-US in the clinical diagnosis of adenomyosis.

Topics: Adenomyosis; Adult; Chronic Pain; Endometriosis; Female; Humans; Leuprolide; Middle Aged; Ovarian Diseases; Pelvic Pain; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome

To evaluate the ovarian response cycles of IVF-ET in patients who previously underwent laparoscopic cystectomy for endometriomas.. Retrospective study with prospective selection of participants and controls.. Instituto de Ginecología y Fertilidad Buenos Aires, Argentina.. Thirty-nine patients underwent an operation for ovarian endometriomas by atraumatic removal of the pseudocapsule with minimal bipolar cauterization of small bleeders and an IVF-ET cycle (group A) and 39 control patients of similar age underwent an IVF-ET cycle for tubal factor infertility (group B).. Laparoscopic endometrioma cystectomy, IVF-ET cycle.. E(2) levels, number of gonadotropin ampoules, follicles, oocytes retrieved, number and quality of embryos transferred, and clinical pregnancy rate.. There were no differences in all the parameters studied (E(2) levels, number of follicles, oocytes retrieved, number and quality of embryos transferred, and clinical pregnancy rate) except for the number of gonadotropin ampoules needed for ovarian hyperstimulation, which was significantly higher in group A than in group B.. Our results indicate that laparoscopic cystectomy for endometriomas is an appropriate treatment since it did not negatively affect the ovarian response for IVF-ET.

Topics: Adult; Embryo Transfer; Endometriosis; Estradiol; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Humans; Infertility, Female; Laparoscopy; Leuprolide; Ovarian Diseases; Ovary; Ovulation Induction; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies

To determine whether expression of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor is affected in tissue and peritoneal fluid of women with ovarian endometriomas treated with GnRH analogues.. In 32 women with endometriomas (17 untreated and 15 treated with GnRH analogue) and 21 with ovarian cystadenomas, we examined the expression of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor messenger RNA (mRNA) by Northern blot analysis; protein distribution was measured immunohistochemically. Concentrations of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor in peritoneal fluid were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor in endometrioma explants in vitro was also studied with and without the GnRH analogue treatment.. Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor mRNA expression was identified only in untreated endometriomas. In the GnRH agonist-treated endometriomas, the semiquantitative H-score for secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor immunostaining was significantly lower than that for untreated endometriomas (P <.001). The peritoneal fluid of the GnRH agonist-treated women also contained significantly lower concentrations of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (median 76 ng/mL, interquartile range 51-131 ng/mL; P <.001) than untreated women (124 ng/mL, 70-186 ng/mL). Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor in endometrioma explants in vitro was significantly inhibited by the GnRH analogue (P <.05).. Expression of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor in tissue and peritoneal fluid of women with ovarian endometriomas was decreased by GnRH agonist treatment.

Topics: Adult; Ascitic Fluid; Blotting, Northern; Case-Control Studies; Endometriosis; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Leuprolide; Middle Aged; Ovarian Diseases; Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory; Proteins

The present study was conducted to investigate whether GnRH-receptor (GnRH-R) gene is expressed in endometriosis ovarian implants and whether a GnRH-analogue (GnRH-a) may exert an effect on endometriosis cell proliferation in vitro. The presence of GnRH-R transcripts in ovarian endometriosis cells was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and further confirmed by Southern blot analysis. GnRH-R mRNA was detected in all the 13 samples examined. In contrast, GnRH-R transcripts were not detectable in endometriosis-free peritoneal tissue. In the second part of the study, endometriosis cells were cultured for 9 days with different doses of leuprolide acetate (ranging from 0 to 10(-5) M). In 4 out of 13 cases, a significant anti-proliferative effect was observed at doses of leuprolide acetate ranging from 10(-9) to 10(-5) M. In one case, a significant inhibition of cell proliferation was observed only at 10(-5) M leuprolide acetate concentration. In contrast, the GnRH-a did not affect cell growth, regardless of the expression of GnRH-R transcripts and the given doses, in the remaining 8 experiments. To date, this is the first evidence indicating that GnRH-R mRNA is expressed in human ovarian endometriomas. Moreover, the inhibition of endometriosis cell proliferation induced by the GnRH-a in vitro suggests that, at least in some cases, this compound might exert a direct effect on endometriosis lesions.

Topics: Adult; Base Sequence; Cell Division; DNA Probes; Endometriosis; Female; Gene Expression; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Leuprolide; Ovarian Diseases; Receptors, LHRH; RNA, Messenger

Hepatocellular dysfunction and perturbed portal hemodynamics alter steroid metabolism. Men with liver disease have gynecomastia, although women similarly affected rarely show virilization. We report a 10-yr-old girl with portal hypertension and shunting associated with precocious puberty and ovarian hyperandrogenism. This was one of premature twin girls; neither had clitoromegaly or genital ambiguity. In one child, neonatal respiratory problems led to umbilical vein catheterization with subsequent development of portal hypertension. Pubic hair was first noted at age 6 yr, breasts at 7 yr, and severe acne and clitoromegaly at 10 yr. Baseline sex hormones were elevated: androstenedione (A), 413 ng/dL; testosterone (T), 226 ng/dL; and estradiol (E2), 160 pg/mL. Liver transaminases were within the normal range, however, the coagulation profile was mildly abnormal. Cosyntropin adrenal stimulation revealed no steroidogenic defect. Dexamethasone suppression reduced A and T slightly. LH-releasing hormone stimulation produced a pubertal rise in LH and FSH. Pelvic sonography showed a large right ovary with numerous follicles. Surgical exploration revealed symmetrically enlarged ovaries with dense capsules. Histology of ovarian wedge resections showed hyperthecosis; immunohistochemistry showed stromal cells expressing steroidogenic enzymes and proteins. One month postoperatively, A and T were unchanged from baseline, whereas E2 decreased to 56 pg/mL. A single dose of depot leuprolide acetate significantly reduced T. Subsequent treatment with oral contraceptives reduced T to 50 ng/dL, and cyclical menses occurred. We conclude that precocious puberty and ovarian hyperthecosis were induced in this young girl by elevated circulating levels of sex hormones, a consequence of portasystemic shunting and impaired hepatic steroid metabolism.

Topics: Androstenedione; Child; Contraceptives, Oral; Diseases in Twins; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Hyperandrogenism; Hypertension, Portal; Immunohistochemistry; Leuprolide; Ovarian Diseases; Ovary; Puberty, Precocious; Testosterone; Theca Cells

Hyperthecosis in a postmenopausal woman is a very rare cause of virilization, and only five cases have been reported previously.. A woman presented with a nine-year history of increasing hirsutism and a mild virilization beginning in the perimenopausal period. Initial androgen metabolite concentrations suggested attenuated late-onset adrenal hyperplasia, but a trial of dexamethasone treatment was ineffective. Subsequent use of leuprolide acetate resulted in a biochemical and clinical improvement in the signs and symptoms.. This case is unique because gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist administration was utilized as both a diagnostic and therapeutic modality.

Topics: Adrenocortical Hyperfunction; Androgens; Delayed-Action Preparations; Drug Therapy, Combination; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); Fallopian Tubes; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Gonadotropins; Humans; Hyperplasia; Hysterectomy; Leuprolide; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; Middle Aged; Ovarian Diseases; Ovariectomy; Ovary; Postmenopause; Progesterone Congeners; Virilism

To evaluate the effect of hormonal suppression on the size of ovarian endometriomas and to develop a predictive model for changes in the size of these lesions.. The study consisted of 80 women of reproductive age with the diagnosis of stage IV pelvic endometriosis, according to the revised American Fertility Society (rAFS) classification, and included 48 women with endometriomas > or = 3 cm. After the initial laparoscopic and sonographic evaluation, ovarian suppression was achieved with either danazol or a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) for six months. In all patients, pretreatment and posttreatment pelvic sonograms were performed, and at the end of treatment residual disease was evaluated and resected by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Seven of 80 women with endometriomas > or = 3 cm had serial sonograms during the course of therapy. Serial pelvic sonograms in this subgroup were used to develop a statistical model for predicting the size of endometriomas after treatment. The model was then tested in another subgroup of 41 women with endometriomas > or = 3 cm.. At the end of treatment, there was a significant decrease in the r-AFS score in both the danazol and GnRH-a groups. Medical treatment facilitated surgical resection of residual disease and preservation of ovarian tissue. There was no difference in this respect between danazol and GnRH-a. Endometriomas decreased by 51% in both treatment groups. The predictive model, when tested on 41 patients, underestimated the actual change by 11%, but the difference was within the 95% confidence limits.. This study documented, for the first time, that ovarian endometriomas decrease in size during hormonal suppression. Both danazol and GnRH-a were equally effective.

Topics: Adult; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; Danazol; Endometriosis; Estrogen Antagonists; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Laparoscopy; Laparotomy; Leuprolide; Ovarian Diseases; Preoperative Care; Prospective Studies; Regression Analysis; Ultrasonography

Ovarian remnant syndrome is an uncommon problem that may follow bilateral oophorectomy. These patients may present with chronic pelvic pain or pelvic masses and may require surgery to confirm or exclude the diagnosis. In this report we describe the successful use of the gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) stimulation test to identify the presence of functioning ovarian tissue in three women with ovarian remnant syndrome who presented for evaluation of persistent chronic pelvic pain. In these cases the endogenous gonadotropin flare was able to stimulate the production of significant quantities of estradiol to confirm the diagnosis. The GnRH-a stimulation test may be a useful adjunct in the evaluation of women at risk for ovarian remnant syndrome prior to proceeding with surgery.

Topics: Adult; Estradiol; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Leuprolide; Ovarian Diseases; Ovariectomy; Pelvic Pain; Syndrome

Functional ovarian hyperandrogenism (FOH) is characterized by an abnormal ovarian response to challenge with the GnRH analogs nafarelin and leuprolide acetate, similar to that observed in women with well defined polycystic ovary syndrome, regardless of whether elevated LH levels or polycystic ovaries are present. We studied an unselected group of 42 hyperandrogenic adolescents (age range, 14-22 yr; mean, 18.1 +/- 2.5 yr) 1) to determine FOH incidence through the assessment of ovarian-steroidogenic response to a single dose of leuprolide acetate, 2) to assess the clinical characteristics of patients according to their responses to GnRH analog stimulation, and 3) to evaluate adrenal steroidogenic function and its relation to ovarian hyperandrogenism in patients with either normal or abnormal responses to leuprolide acetate challenge. All patients underwent leuprolide acetate and ACTH testing, dexamethasone and ovarian suppression tests, and pelvic ultrasonography. Twenty-four (58%) patients had supranormal plasma 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) responses to leuprolide acetate characteristic of FOH, and in 18, the 17-OHP response was similar to that of controls (n = 24; age, 17.1 +/- 2.3 yr). Seven patients (5 with FOH and 2 with normal responses to leuprolide acetate) had an abnormal response to ACTH, but only 1 had conclusive evidence of 21-hydroxylase deficiency. In 16 patients, the response to both stimulation tests was normal. Only 13 (54%) of the 24 FOH patients had polycystic ovaries on ultrasonography, and in 11 (46%), basal plasma LH levels were elevated. In FOH patients, reduction in testosterone and androstenedione plasma levels was significantly greater after ovarian suppression than after dexamethasone challenge (P < 0.0005 and P < 0.02, respectively). Peak plasma 17-OHP levels postleoprolide acetate simulation correlated with dexamethasone-suppressed plasma testosterone concentrations, dexamethasone-suppressed plasma androstenedione levels, and the free androgen index postdexamethasone treatment (r = 0.4, P = 0.01; r+ 0.4, P < 0.05; and r = 0.41, P = 0.007, respectively), Plasma sex hormone-binding globulin levels after dexamethasone administration correlated negatively with the baseline free androgen index (r = -.0.67; P < 0.0001). Considering our diagnostic criteria, 26 (62%) of our collective of 42 patients had abnormal responses to one or both stimulation tests, whereas 16 (37%) had normal response. FOH is the most common cause in (58%) of

Topics: 17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; Adolescent; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Adult; Androstenedione; Dexamethasone; Female; Humans; Hydroxyprogesterones; Hyperandrogenism; Leuprolide; Luteinizing Hormone; Ovarian Diseases; Ovary; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Testosterone; Ultrasonography

The postpubertal outcome of a group of girls diagnosed of premature pubarche during childhood was assessed 1) to determine the incidence of functional ovarian hyperandrogenism (FOH) through the ovarian-steroidogenic response to the GnRH agonist leuprolide acetate, 2) to validate leuprolide acetate stimulation in FOH diagnosis, and 3) to ascertain whether FOH-predictive biochemical markers exist at the diagnosis of premature pubarche. Of 35 patients (age, 15.4 +/- 1.5 yr), 16 showed hirsutism, oligomenorrhea, and elevated baseline testosterone and/or androstenedione (delta 4-A) levels. Subcutaneous administration of leuprolide acetate (500 micrograms) produced similar increases in gonadotropin levels in oligomenorrheic patients, regularly menstruating patients (n = 19), and controls (n = 12; age, 15.3 +/- 1.3 yr) when tested at 6 h. Of all of the steroids measured, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) and delta 4-A levels 24 h postleuprolide acetate stimulation were significantly higher in oligomenorrheic patients than in the other two groups (P < 0.0001). No overlapping in 17-OHP responses occurred between oligomenorrheic patients and the other groups. Baseline dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and delta 4-A levels at the diagnosis of premature pubarche correlated with 17-OHP values postleuprolide acetate challenge (r = 0.47; P < 0.005 and r = 0.67; P < 0.0001, respectively). These results show a distinct leuprolide acetate challenge response in 45% of the postpubertal premature pubarche girls studied, suggestive of an increased incidence of FOH, and support the need for continued routine postmenarcheal evaluation of this group of patients. Responses of 17-OHP to leuprolide acetate challenge facilitate the identification of FOH patients, establish this test as a reliable diagnostic tool in FOH diagnosis, and confirm the ovaries as the source of hyperandrogenemia in most patients with androgen excess. Although increased 17-OHP responses after leuprolide acetate stimulation seem to occur more frequently in girls with elevated dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and/or delta 4-A levels at the diagnosis of premature pubarche, specific biochemical markers predictive of FOH in this group of patients are still lacking.

Topics: Androgens; Female; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Humans; Incidence; Leuprolide; Luteinizing Hormone; Ovarian Diseases; Ovary; Puberty; Puberty, Precocious; Retrospective Studies; Steroids

Topics: Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Hormones; Humans; Leuprolide; Ovarian Diseases; Syndrome