For those not familiar with Dr. Chandler Marrs, PhD and her website "Hormones Matter' this will serve as an introduction. She has a ton of very interesting articles on the site relating to 'hormones', of course, and quite often takes a deep dive into the subject matter. The comments to the article are also of interest. PR
Leuprolide, more commonly known as Lupron, is the GnRH agonist prescribed for endometriosis, uterine fibroids, cysts, undiagnosed pelvic pain, precocious puberty, during infertility treatments, to treat some cancers, and a host of other off-label uses. It induces a chemical castration in both women and men. In women, Lupron stops menstruation and ovulation and crashes endogenous estradiol synthesis rapidly and completely, inducing menopause and menopause-associated symptoms like hot flashes, sweats and osteoporosis, to name but a few. In men, where it is used as a treatment for prostate cancer, it prevents the synthesis of testosterone, pharmacologically castrating its users and evoking a similar constellation of symptoms.
Lupron for Endometriosis: Questionable Research
Lupron’s widespread use for pain-related, female reproductive disorders, such as endometriosis or fibroids is not well supported, with little research indicating its efficacy in reducing pain and no research delineating its effects on disease progression. Conversely, evidence of safety issues have long been recognized, especially within the patient communities where reports of chronic and life-altering side effects are common. We have many case reports on our site alone. Although, class-action and marketing lawsuits have arisen, Lupron continues to be misprescribed regularly to diagnose or treat pelvic pain disorders like endometriosis, generating over $700 million in revenue in 2010 and 2011 for the manufacturers and an array of serious and chronic health issue for its recipients.
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PR4NOW
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This just makes me sick. I'm sure everyone has good intentions (maybe) but people are too naive to blindly accept the prescriptions that are doled out. The FDA is probably overloaded and even when all the nasty side effects are noted, people still accept the drugs. Who is going to stop this.....I'm sure it won't be lawyers.
I was put on three different GnRH agonists during my 30s (for endometriosis and IVF treatment). Being on them is an absolute nightmare and the side effects are appalling. A friend of mine, same age as me, was also put on them and ended up going through the menopause (permanently) as a result. She also developed hypothyroidism soon after (and was treated promptly, which is unusual).
I already had a dodgy thyroid before I ever went on these drugs. I don't suppose they helped one little bit.
The thing is though - this all happened in the early 1990s before the internet was available to me. I had no realistic way of accessing research. However, it doesn't surprise me that women still take these drugs, even though they can easily do research and find out how dangerous they are.
In my experience doctors don't treat pain. They certainly never treated mine. I think they thought I was exaggerating or was drug-seeking. Endometriosis is excruciating, crippling, life-destroying. There were times that I would have grabbed cyanide if I'd been told it would stop the pain. Being in so much pain destroys your ability to be logical and to think. The only thing that matters is now, I'll worry about the future when it happens.
So, if I was in the same situation now, in my 30s, with endometriosis destroying my life - I'd probably take GnRH agonsists too. Because it would be the only hope on offer.
I believe every word you say. It is so debilitating and pain is an insidious evil. I was just reading on this website. Do you feel your hypo had anything to do with this or just hormones in general? I'm off for the day but if you want to look this over, I'm not sure who posted it the other day.
I have no proof - but I think I have had thyroid/adrenal problems since childhood. I looked like I had Cushing's Syndrome in my early teens, including the hump on the upper-back, the moon face, the dramatic weight gain, and the purple stretch marks. As a teenager it made me a prime target for bullying. Everyone just assumed I was fat, lazy and greedy, so nobody ever tested me for anything. I also think (now) I have a degree of thyroid hormone resistance - whether I had it earlier? Who knows. The Cushing's type symptoms did ease off in later years, although I've never been slim.
The earliest TSH test result I have proof of is from the mid-1990s and it was nearly 3. I didn't know about this until I bought a copy of my GP notes last year. And preceding this there was a mention (by the IVF clinic) about my thyroid being dubious, but I can't remember any details. But it was considered to be borderline and nothing was done about it.
So, yes, I think this was all hormone related - but which hormones I really don't know.
Ooooh, that sounds very rough. All those signs you had and still they want to blame the patient, even as a child.....so deflating to hear things like that and your future would have been completely different if you had had good medical treatment.
Perhaps in the 80's there was still much to learn about hormonal treatment or maybe it was abject ignorance but in the U.S. I think I would put more faith in the actress, Suzanne Summers, than a conventional doctor. The more I observe, the less respect I have for anyone's medical system.
Thank you for the Women to Women suggestion - I've just taken a very quick look at health library there and it looks like it has a lot worth reading.
Also, thanks for the hormone restoration link earlier.
My health has improved a lot over the last 18 months. Paying for my own testing, learning how to interpret the results, and self-treating has made a big difference. I still have a way to go, but at least I can walk upstairs now without virtually collapsing at the top. And I can walk for a fair distance on the flat too! Yay!
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