Reversible bone loss in women treated with GnRH-agonists for endometriosis and uterine leiomyoma

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GnRH-agonist treatment for endometriosis and uterine leiomyoma caused reversible bone loss and altered calcium metabolism, with cortical bone remaining unaffected.

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Abstract

Oestrogen deficiency at the menopause is associated with changes in calcium and bone metabolism. Hypo-oestrogenism induced by the use of GnRH-agonists is clinically useful in the treatment of oestrogen-dependent diseases. This study was done to investigate calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism of pre-menopausal women in a GnRH-agonist-induced pseudo-menopause. Eighteen patients with endometriosis or uterine leiomyoma received monthly i.m. injections of 3.2 mg of long-acting D-Trp-6-LHRH over a 6-month period. Plasma oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone levels under treatment were significantly decreased to the levels of the early follicular phase. Plasma total calcium, serum osteocalcin and plasma alkaline phosphatase concentrations increased, while plasma phosphate levels did not change. Levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 decreased significantly, but 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 values remained constant. Trabecular bone mineral density of lumbar spine decreased continuously during the 6-month period. Nine women completed 6-9 months follow-up. In these women bone loss was reversible. Cortical bone measurements at the proximal radius showed no change during oestrogen deficiency. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that GnRH-agonist-induced bone loss is reversible. Furthermore, they suggest that the state of pseudo-menopause induced by GnRH-agonist may serve as a model for further pathophysiological studies on calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism in the post-menopause.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Antineoplastic Agents Endometriosis Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Leiomyoma Osteoporosis Uterine Neoplasms Adult Alkaline Phosphatase Alkaline Phosphatase Bone and Bones Bone and Bones Calcifediol Calcifediol Calcitriol Calcitriol Calcium Calcium Calcium-Binding Proteins Calcium-Binding Proteins Endometriosis

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europepmc
last seen: 2026-08-16T09:21:09.727480+00:00
openalex
last seen: 2026-06-10T17:14:06.276822+00:00
pubmed
last seen: 2026-05-13T22:09:15.954262+00:00
License: CC0 · commercial use OK