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Updated: Nov 5, 2025
In Vitro Imaging and Quantification of the Drug Targeting Efficiency of Fluorescently Labeled GnRH Analogues
Published on: March 21, 2017
Use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs in children
Natalie G Allen1, Kanthi Bangalore Krishna, Peter A Lee
1Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA.
Insights
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRHas) are effective for central precocious puberty and gender-affirming care. Long-term safety is good, with transient effects on bone density and BMI, and rare severe adverse events.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Adolescent Medicine
Background:
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRHas) are crucial in managing conditions related to pubertal timing.
- Recent advancements include new long-acting formulations and FDA approvals for subcutaneous injections.
- Understanding the safety and efficacy profiles of GnRHas is essential for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current usage and formulations of GnRHas.
- To examine adverse effects and long-term outcomes of GnRHa therapy.
- To focus on recent literature (last 24 months) regarding GnRHa applications.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of recent scientific literature.
- Analysis of clinical data on GnRHa formulations and administration.
- Evaluation of reported adverse events and long-term patient outcomes.
Main Results:
- Long-acting GnRHa formulations are now available via subcutaneous injection.
- Significant adverse events are rare, with extremely rare occurrences of hypertension and pseudotumor cerebri.
- Long-term effects on BMI and bone mineral density appear transient, with no significant lasting consequences.
Conclusions:
- GnRHas are the most effective treatment for central precocious puberty (CPP).
- GnRHa therapy is beneficial and a standard of care for gender incongruent individuals.
- Use of GnRHas in differences of sexual development (DSD) is still considered experimental.
Purpose Of Review:
In this review, we outline the usage and formulations of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRHas) in central precocious puberty (CPP), short stature, and gender diverse individuals, as well as adverse effects, long-term outcomes, and monitoring of therapy. There is a particular focus on citing references published within the last 24 months.
Recent Findings:
Long-acting formulations of GnRHa now include Federal Drug Administration approval for subcutaneous injections. Significant adverse events continue to be rarely reported; extremely rare events include arterial hypertension and pseudotumor cerebri. There continue to be no significant long-term consequences including the impact upon body mass index and bone mineral density, which appear to be transient. GnRHas have been used in differences of sexual development (DSD) and increasingly in the treatment of adolescent transgender individuals.
Summary:
GnRHas remain as the only fully efficacious therapy for CPP and effectively suppress pubertal hormones in other situations. The use of GnRHa therapy in gender incongruent individuals has proven beneficial and has become a standard of care, whereas use in those with DSDs should still be considered experimental.
Video Abstract:
http://links.lww.com/MOP/A62.
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