Dynamic tests of hypothalamic and pituitary function in women treated with danazol

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) tests (12 women) and estradiol benzoate stimulation tests (8 women) were carried out before and during short- or long-term treatment with danazol. There was no difference in the height or timing of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) peaks following GnRH or estradiol benzoate between any of the treatment groups or between the pretreatment and treatment responses within groups. However, some individuals did show an apparent attenuation of response during treatment. These results indicate that danazol does not produce a profound or consistent suppression of the hypothalamus or pituitary in normal women in the reproductive age group. The impressive clinical effect of danazol may be mediated by additive minor to moderate suppressive effects at each level of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian-endometrial axis.