Health Information
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist (GnRH-a) for Severe PMS
Why It Is Used
In rare cases, GnRH-a medicines are used to treat multiple severe Reference premenstrual syndrome (PMS) Opens New Window or Reference premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) Opens New Window symptoms if other treatments have failed.
On the rare occasion that a woman is considering removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy), GnRH-a treatment is used beforehand. If GnRH-a treatment relieves symptoms, then removal of the ovaries is likely to provide complete relief from PMS. But even if symptoms improve during GnRH-a treatment, it is possible that the medicine is not the reason for the improvement.
A GnRH-a may be used only for short periods of time (3 to 6 months).
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: June 8, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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