What are GnRH agonists and how do they work?

GnRH agonists, or Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone agonists, are drugs that play an important role in hormone problems. They mimic the natural GnRH from your brain, which normally stimulates your pituitary gland to produce LH and FSH to make – hormones that regulate your sex hormones. But if you take them in high doses, they actually stop that production for a while, which makes you estrogen and testosterone levels drop.

This is useful for fibroids – benign lumps in your uterus. Less estrogen often makes them smaller. This also helps with complaints such as heavy periods or pain in your pelvis. Here is a table of how your hormones change:

Hormone	Before use	With treatment
Estrogen	Normal	Lower
Testosterone	Normal	Lower
LH & FSH	Normal	Down

It’s also a smart move if you want to postpone or skip surgery. It can be a stepping stone to a bigger solution, or a permanent fix if surgery isn’t an option. Many women feel better when their symptoms are reduced anyway – that’s a big plus.

How GnRH Agonists Treat Fibroids

GnRH agonists are a breakthrough against fibroids. They make sure that you produce less hormones, which makes those bumps smaller. Simply put, they suppress estrogen and progesterone down, hormones that make fibroids grow.

Pros and cons: Like any medicine, they have good and bad sides. Here is a short overview:

Top: Fibroids shrink, so less pain.
Fine: You may not need to go under the knife.
NB: You may experience menopausal symptoms such as heat, fatigue, or even bone loss with prolonged use.

Plus	Min
Smaller fibroids	Heat attacks
Fewer operations	Fatigue
Pain gone	Bones weaker

Research shows that this can be a good option if you have fibroids, especially if you don’t want surgery. But talk to your doctor – they’ll weigh everything up for you.

Less hormones, more benefits

A big plus for GnRH agonists is that they shrink fibroids by lowering your sex hormones. After a short spike, your estrogen levels drop, which makes those bumps smaller. Plus, less estrogen often means lighter periods and less cramping.

Here is a table of what you will notice:

Benefit	Why?
Smaller bumps	Due to lower hormones
Less blood	Lighter periods
Less pain	Cramps decrease

It can also prevent surgery, which means less risk and faster recovery. In short, your life will be a lot better.

Helpful Tips for GnRH Agonists

Start well: When you start GnRH agonists can make all the difference. Ideally, do it at the beginning of your cycle – it helps to intelligently inhibit your hormones and shrink fibroids. Ask your doctor what works for you.

Know the extras: You may experience side effects such as heat, tiredness, or mood swings. Know what to expect and ask your doctor for tricks. Light clothing helps with the heat, and a walk can boost your energy and mood. Check this table:

Side effect	Tip
Heat	Wear light clothes, take a fan
Tired	Rest and walk a bit
Mood	Talk or relax

With this preparation you will get the most out of your medicine.

Other options if GnRH agonists are not suitable

Sometimes GnRH agonists are not ideal, due to side effects or what you want. There are alternatives, such as pills – think of progestogen or the pill – which can reduce your symptoms without such a major hormonal shock.

There are also ways without drugs:

Acupuncture for pain.
Eat lots of vegetables to reduce severe symptoms.
Exercise to feel better.
Yoga or mindfulness to cut tension.

This way you choose what suits your life.

Can GnRH agonists be used during pregnancy?

GnRH agonists are usually not suitable if you are pregnant. They block hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone, which you need for your baby. They are often used for things like fibroids or endometriosis, but during pregnancy they can pose risks, such as a miscarriage or problems for your baby. Always consult your doctor if you are pregnant or want to become pregnant, and stop using it immediately if you become pregnant.

Finally

We hope you now understand how GnRH agonists tackle fibroids and inhibit your hormones. Everyone is different, so ask your specialist what you need. Want to know more? At Verloskundigen Lelystad in De Koploper we are happy to help you with care and answers for a better life!