Gonadorelin for induction of ovulation
Article Abstract:
Gonadorelin (Lutrepulse) is a new drug for the treatment of female infertility. Women who may benefit from gonadorelin are those who are not ovulating because they have reduced or absent gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) production. This medication is a synthetic version of GnRH, and works by inducing ovulation. GnRH is normally released from the hypothalamus in the brain; GnRH then stimulates the pituitary gland to release two other hormones crucial for ovulation, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. Because of its mechanism of action, gonadorelin is only effective in women with normal pituitary and ovarian function. The manufacturer of the drug has reported that 41 of 44 women treated with gonadorelin ovulated, and 24 of 39 (62 percent) who wanted to become pregnant did so. Gonadorelin is administered intravenously around the clock. Patients wear a small pump from which a dose is automatically delivered through a catheter into their vein every 90 minutes for 21 days, or until they ovulate. The site of injection should be changed every two days. It is thought that some of the side effects of other fertility drugs may be avoided with gonadorelin; however, there is some risk of adverse effects from the prolonged intravenous administration, such as inflammation and infection of the vein into which it is infused. The rate of multiple pregnancies (more than one fetus per pregnancy) has been 12 percent with gonadorelin so far, which is lower than the 20 percent reported with gonadotropin (gonad stimulating) drugs. In conclusion, the studies of gonadorelin in a small number of women suggest that it is safe and effective, and that many women conceive while on the drug. Also, multiple pregnancies may occur less often with gonadorelin than with gonadotropins. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0025-732X
Year: 1990
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
The noble savage in labor; or Claude Levi-Strauss has a baby
Article Abstract:
Claude Levi-Strauss, a French social anthropologist, provides details on shamanistic curing and difficult childbirth among the Cuna Indians of Panama in his paper, The effectiveness of symbols. The recitation of shaman song during labor activates certain physiological events inside the woman's body, providing indigenous psychotherapy. The therapy evokes unconscious conflicts during childbirth. Its powerful symbolism, helps the woman deliver the baby during arrested labor.
Publication Name: Perspectives in Biology and Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0031-5982
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Tamoxifen for prevention of breast cancer. Valrubicin for bladder cancer. Trastuzumab and capecitabine for metastatic breast cancer
- Abstracts: Ginkgo biloba for dementia. The challenge for Cuba. Gingko extract shown to ease dementia
- Abstracts: Warning signs along the road to functional dependency. Functional bracing of tibial shaft fractures
- Abstracts: Reducing the risk of needlesticks: methods used to reload syringes. Diving fatality statistics
- Abstracts: Perverse incentives, statesmanship, and the ghosts of reforms past. Burnt out by reforms