Baby dreaming...

[Lacy14]

Hi ladies

So been on Zoladex for two months now and got two more months to go. Just wondering if anyone knows how long it stays in your system for after the last injection? I want to start trying for a baby but want to make sure it's safe first. I've googled this question a hundred times but can't seem to find the answer.

Mega thanks for any light you can shed on this (as always!) xxx

[Impatient]

Zoladex is known as Goserelin.

Taken from the following web drugs.com/pregnancy/goserel...

The info on Goserelin regarding pregnancy is as follows

(I added **** to highlight the important part for you )

"When used every 28 days, goserelin 3.6 mg usually inhibits ovulation and stops menstruation. However, contraception is not ensured. During treatment, pregnancy must be avoided by use of nonhormonal methods of contraception. ****Following the last injection, nonhormonal methods of contraception must be continued until the return of menses or for at least twelve weeks.**** The drug may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. Studies in rats and rabbits administered goserelin during the period of organogenesis have confirmed dose-related increased pregnancy loss. In rats, the incidence of umbilical hernia was significantly increased (at doses greater than one-half the recommended human dose on a mg/m2 basis). In studies on male rats (at approximately 30 to 60 times the recommended human dose), atrophic histological changes were observed in the testes, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate gland with complete suppression of spermatogenesis. In female rats (receiving approximately 3 to 60 times the recommended human dose), suppression of ovarian function led to decreased size and weight of ovaries and secondary sex organs; follicular development was arrested at the antral stage and the corpora lutea were reduced in size and number.

Goserelin has been assigned by the FDA to pregnancy category X for the treatment of endometriosis and pregnancy category D for the treatment of advanced breast cancer in pre- and perimenopausal women. Animal studies have revealed evidence of teratogenicity, embryotoxicity, fetotoxicity, and atrophic histological changes consistent with gonadal suppression in both male and female reproductive organs. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Goserelin use is considered contraindicated during pregnancy. If the drug is used during pregnancy in a patient with advanced breast cancer or the patient becomes pregnant while receiving the drug, the patient must be apprised of the potential risk for loss of the pregnancy due to possible hormonal imbalance as a result of the expected pharmacologic action of goserelin therapy.

Goserelin Breastfeeding Warnings

There are no data on the excretion of goserelin into human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from goserelin in nursing infants, mothers should discontinue nursing prior to taking the drug.

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So there is your answer - 4 months would be well clear of the trace residual amounts.

There was a research paper which found the traces of GnRH at 3 months - so giving it 4 months should be enough clearance time.

It does take on average 5 months for ovulation to return anyway - but half of ladies will be quicker and half will take longer. My period returned after 8 weeks from theast implant going in.

Now despite that very clear guideline , we also have the wonderful NHS with the following publication

ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/le...

I draw your attention to page 4 , 3rd paragraph down

"The drugs have no effect on long-term fertility and it is quite safe to conceive as soon as you stop the injections "

OMG !!!!!!!

I think I am inclined to believe the manufacturer over which ever crazy person wrote that so called Help Guide for NHS patients last year. Really quite scary to see it in print. I bet some Doctors will actually believe that to be true.

All the GnRH drug patient advice leaflets state that they are not safe during pregnancy and are not effective contraception either, so why give such dangerous advice. I am at a loss to explain that one.

Anyhow - 4 months is the advice I have given out in the past based on past studies and I will continue to do so. It's up to you which you believe to be true or rather how much of a risk you are willing to take with your most precious thing in the word.

[floppsy]

Hi, I am usually 2 months before af comes back and its usually around the same dates as before x

[Lacy14]

Hi Impatient

Thanks so much for the info - so kind to take the time to research that. As the drug manufacturers say, I think I'll wait until at least 4 months before starting on the baby trail. But I'll try to get some advice from my gynae too. I've asked my GP about Zoladex and pregnancy but he was pretty clueless.