Trabecular versus cortical bone loss induced by GnRH agonists

Summary

Summary

Cortical and trabecular bone mass loss rates induced by agonist gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRH) were measured with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in 50 fertile women under treatment for endometriosis or uterine fibro-myomata. The greatest mean loss took place in trabecular bone (5·0 per cent in the trunk without the pelvis, P< 0·001), while loss in the whole skeleton was 2·8 per cent (P < 0·001). No changes were found in bones mainly consisting of cortex, in the extremities.

Although GnRH agonists induce loss of bone mass. this loss takes place mainly in structures consisting basically of trabecular bone, in the same way as during the first years of the menopause.