Effect of danazol on serum gonadotrophins and steroid hormone concentrations in women with menorrhagia

Abstract

In 13 ovulatory women with objective evidence of menorrhagia (menstrual blood loss greater than 80 ml), danazol 400 mg given daily for 12 weeks suppressed ovulation as shown by absence of gonadotrophin peaks, low serum progesterone levels and flat basal body temperature recordings. Serum concentrations of luteinising hormone and follicle stimulating hormone were within the range found during the normal menstrual cycle but oestradiol concentrations tended to fall, reaching levels less than 100 pmol/l in some patients. Danazol treatment had no effect on levels of androstenedione or dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulphate. The presence or absence of cyclical bleeding on treatment, and the measured blood loss was unrelated to circulating oestradiol levels.