Use of goserelin depot, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, for the treatment of menorrhagia and severe anemia in women with leiomyomata uteri

Menorrhagia is the most frequent symptom in women with leiomyomata uteri. We induced transient hypoestrogenism with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, goserelin (Zoladex, I.C.I.), in a depot formulation, to resolve severe anemia in 16 women with uterine myomas. Subcutaneous administration of goserelin 3.6 mg was repeated every 28 days for 6 months. Thirteen patients became amenorrheic in 5 weeks and 3 reported scanty bleeding. Estradiol fell to postmenopausal levels after one month's treatment with hormonal surges on only three occasions. Uterine volume decreased by 49% after 3 months' treatment but subsequent reduction was not achieved. Mean hemoglobin rose from 7.4 g/dl pretreatment to 13.2 g/dl at 3 months (+78.3%) and mean hematocrit from 26.1% to 39.8% (+52.4%) without any further improvement. Serum ferritin increased constantly during the 6 months. Goserelin depot therapy in severely anemic patients with leiomyomas and menorrhagia is practical, safe and may avoid the need for preoperative transfusion.