hormones

[A]

I don't really see the point in a GnRH/LH antagonist after puberty... Wouldn't it just be like a more complicated AA then? Can someone help me understand?

[Joanna]

I'll try
T is produced in the testes, not just during puberty but for the duration of a mans life.  The GnRh analogue works by shutting down the production of the T in the testes.  This means that T is not released and therefore will discontinue to affect and influence the body in an androgenic way.  No more emasculation.  Other AA work by reducing the effect of the T on our bodies and influencing active levels within our system.  The GnRH analogue stops the release of T to begin with.

I may be barking up the wrong tree, but I think this is the basic idea.

[peky]

I don't really see the point in a GnRH/LH antagonist after puberty... Wouldn't it just be like a more complicated AA then? Can someone help me understand?

GnRH is secreted by the hypothalamus of males and females, a soon as the brain is developed (4-6 weeks, and continues to be secreted therafter through life. The GnRH secretion is controled via feed back by the levels of esxint testosterone and/or estraidiol. GnRH acts on the pitutiary glans where it causes the secretion of FSH and LH. LH in turn stimulates the lydig cells in the testicles to secrete testosterone. So, if you block (antagonize) the effects of GmRH you prevent testosterone secretion.


So, what are the side effects of GnRH antagonist, well here is the "loundry list" for decapetyl. Compare visasvis to those of spiro. Note that this are the side effects in XX female, will digg out for the XX males


Information specific to: Decapeptyl SR 3mg powder and solvent for suspension for injection vials when used in Endometriosis.
Side-effects
A medicine is only made available to the public if the clinical trials have shown that the benefits of taking the medicine outweigh the risks.

Once a medicine has been licensed, information on the medicine's effects, both intended and unintended, is continuously recorded and updated.

Some side-effects may be serious while others may only be a mild inconvenience.

Everyone's reaction to a medicine is different. It is difficult to predict which side-effects you will have from taking a particular medicine, or whether you will have any side-effects at all. The important thing is to tell your prescriber or pharmacist if you are having problems with your medicine.

Very common: More than 1 in 10 people who have Decapeptyl

•decreased libido
•difficult or painful sexual intercourse
•headaches
•heavy or painful menstrual periods
•hot flushes
•mood changes
•ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
•ovary enlargement
•pelvic pain
•sleeping problems
•sweating
•vaginal bleeding - seek medical advice if you have any vaginal bleeding that occurs more than one month after the start of treatment
•vaginal dryness
Common: More than 1 in 100 people who have Decapeptyl

•breast pain
•injection site problems such as redness, inflammation or pain
•jointpain
•muscle spasm
•nausea
•stomachpain and discomfort
•weight gain
The frequency of these side-effects is unknown

•amenorrhoea - your periods will usually start again about 2 months after your last injection of Decapeptyl
•angioedema
•breathing difficulties
•confusion
•depression
•diarrhoea
•eye or eyesight problems – You or your carer should seek medical advice if you develop eye or eyesight problems.
•feeling anxious
•feeling dizzy
•fever
•general feeling of being unwell
•hypersensitivity reactions
•itching
•lowering of bone mineral density
•muscle weakness
•musclepain or tenderness
•raised blood pressure
•skin rash or rashes
•urticaria
•vertigo
•vomiting
•weakness
•worsening of endometriosissymptoms at the beginning of treatment - you may get pelvic pain or painful menstrual periods

[A]

But GnRH doesn't ONLY cause the secretion of testosterone, does it? Does blocking it stop "other things" that might be a problem?

If not, then, why are we even taking anti-androgens instead of this?

[Naturally Blonde]

The doctor is see is in London and is private. He instructs my NHS GP and I get it done at my local surgery on the NHS.  This injection though is commonly given via the GIC in London that is also NHS. 

It would be worth discussing with your own doctor.  Not advisable without supervision as this is strong stuff and works on the pituitary gland in the brain.

I have sent you a message off forum. Triptorelin (Decapeptyl) is not usually used by the NHS or at least it wasn't when I went through their GIC system.