[Treatment of leiomyomas with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist]

Twenty-five premenopausal women, 36-54 years of age, with uterine myomas were treated with 600-1,200 micrograms/day of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist (LHRHa) for 4 months. Eight patients reached menopause following the treatment with LHRHa (menopause group), while the resumption of menstruation occurred within 12 weeks after cessation of the therapy in 17 patients (menstruation group). Although the mean hemoglobin (Hb) concentration in the menopause group increased during treatment and was maintained within the normal range after cessation of the therapy, the Hb concentration in the menstruation group decreased after the resumption of menstruation. Both estradiol and CA125 in the menopause group were reduced during and after treatment. However, these parameters in the menstruation group increased concomitantly with the resumption of ovarian function. LH and FSH were suppressed during treatment, but these gonadotropins in the menopause group increased significantly to the levels of menopause. About a 50% reduction in uterine volume was observed in the menopause group. Three months after completing therapy, the restoration of uterine volume occurred in the menstruation group. Bone density findings in microdensitometry 12 weeks after cessation of the therapy did not differ significantly from those before the treatment. These results demonstrate that LHRHa therapy significantly reduces the uterine volume in patients with leiomyoma. It may be possible to treat selected patients with leiomyoma, including perimenopausal women and high surgical risk women with LHRHa, thus avoiding the need for surgery.