What to Expect from GnRH Analogue Therapy for Endometriosis

GnRH analogues reduce the hormonal stimulation that can support endometriosis-related inflammation and pain. Depending on the medicine, treatment may be given as an injection or another prescribed form. Periods may become lighter or stop, and hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, headache, or lower sexual desire can occur.

The treatment is usually time-limited because reduced oestrogen can affect bone health and other body systems. Add-back hormones may be offered to reduce low-oestrogen effects while preserving symptom control. Pain improvement may take time, and treatment does not remove endometriosis lesions permanently.

Take or attend each dose as prescribed and record bleeding, pelvic pain, sleep, mood, hot flushes, and other changes. Ask before using hormonal contraception or supplements, because these may affect the plan. Discuss bone-health factors such as calcium intake, vitamin D, smoking, alcohol, and weight-bearing activity with your clinician.

Tell the team if you are trying to conceive, may be pregnant, have a history of depression, migraines, osteoporosis, or unexplained bleeding. Review the next step before the final dose, including surgery, another medicine, or a plan for symptoms returning after treatment.

Contact your prescriber promptly for severe or persistent low mood, thoughts of self-harm, heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, allergic swelling, or a reaction that worries you. Seek emergency care for difficulty breathing, collapse, sudden chest pain, or one-sided weakness.

Ask which formulation and treatment duration are planned, when symptom improvement should be reviewed, whether add-back therapy is suitable, how bone health will be protected, and what happens when treatment ends.