Effect of goserelin in quality of life of women with abnormal uterine bleeding and leiomyoma: a case series

Abstract

Leiomyomas are a major source of morbidity and decrease in quality of life for women of reproductive age. Goserelin is a Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) which treats leiomyomas inducing a hypogonadotropic state. Adverse effects includes hot flushes and vaginal dryness. When choosing a treatment, its capability to improve the patient’s quality of life must be taken in consideration. The objective of this retrospective case series was to study the impact of Goserelin in the quality of life of women with leiomyomas and abnormal uterine bleeding refractory to hormonal contraceptives. In this study, twenty-three women with abnormal uterine bleeding due to leiomyoma who were treated with Goserelin at two tertiary public teaching hospitals from Brazil answered the UFS-QoL regarding their leiomyoma symptoms before and after using Goserelin and other questions regarding their experience with Goserelin. It is observed that the Symptom severity scale and the Health-related quality of life scale in all its 6 domains had an improvement in quality of live after the use of Goserelin. The UFS-QoL has 37 questions and there was an improvement in quality of life in all 37 questions. Most participants experienced hot flushes (78.2%). Amenorrhea was achieved in 82.9% of the participants. Fifteen (68.1%) participants experienced vaginal dryness. Therefore Goserelin is effective to improve quality of life of women with abnormal uterine bleeding due to leiomyomas, although, hot flushes and vaginal dryness are common adverse effects.