Zoladex is a form of hormone therapy used to treat cancer and other conditions in both women and men. The drug is primarily used to simulate a hormone that regulates the body’s processes, and many women are given Zoladex to treat breast cancer or endometriosis.
Zoladex contains goserelin, its primary active ingredient, which overstimulates the production of GnRH in the body, which is usually released in pulsatile form, temporarily halting the production of certain hormones, such as estrogen.
The injection is inserted through a needle into the upper abdominal wall every 28 days by a doctor, and because of the imbalance of hormone levels attempting to adjust to the drug, there may be an onset of new or worsening symptoms in the beginning. Since Zoladex causes a decrease in hormone levels, the use of the drug can affect a women’s menstrual cycle.
How does Zoladex affect your menstrual cycle?
In premenopausal women, Zoladex should halt your period for the duration of the treatment. Despite this, you should still use a birth control barrier method, such as condoms, since hormonal contraceptives may become ineffective during treatment and allow you to still become pregnant [1].
Goserelin should stop the ovulation cycle from happening, but this should not be used as a definite form of birth control. Goserelin can be used to treat endometriosis, which causes painful, heavy and irregular menstruation periods, as well as treating abnormal bleeding of the uterus.
After the goserelin treatment is stopped, the regular menstrual cycle should begin again within 12 weeks after the last injection is received. For women who are close to menopause, Zoladex may continue to affect the menstrual cycle afterwards and may activate menopause by stopping menstruation.
If your regular period does not return after this time, you should consult with your doctor. If your period continues to persist regularly while using Zoladex, you should also inform your doctor.
How does it work?
Zoladex is a Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) agonist, which serves to halt the production of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and leutinizing hormone (LH) in the pituitary gland. The ovaries typically produce estrogen in premenopausal women, which can cause some breast cancer cell growth.
Goserelin helps to stop the production of estrogen from the ovaries to help reduce cancer cell growth. The lack of produced estrogen in women hinders cell growth in estrogen-dependent cancer cells.
After women are given their first injection, their estrogen levels will rise and then finally decrease to a level similar to post-menopausal women, which results in a disruption of the regular menstrual cycle. Once the treatment ends, the ovaries will simply start to produce estrogen again and menstruation will return to normal after a period of time. Zoladex can also be used to treat prostate cancer in men.
What are some of the side effects of Zoladex?
Goserelin will actually cause your hormone levels to increase in the beginning of the treatment before they eventually decrease, causing a number of symptoms that result from the body’s normal response to the drug. Side effects can include hot flashes, dizziness, headaches, sweating, difficulty sleeping, decreased sexual interest, nausea, hair loss, and mood changes. Women may also experience vaginal dryness. These symptoms are only temporary, and should lessen once the body adjusts to the drug.
Women who are pregnant should not be treated with Zoladex. The drug can cause serious birth defects and harm the unborn baby, and should only be considered for use during pregnancy if being used to treat breast cancer.
The use of Zoladex can have many benefits for women, and can effectively help treat serious conditions, such as breast cancer and endometriosis, by reducing the growth of cancer cells in the body. While using Zoladex, women should pay close attention to their side effects to make sure they don’t persist throughout the duration of treatment. Since Zoladex affects the menstrual cycle and can continue to affect it afterwards, it is important to make sure your periods return to a regular, healthy cycle after the treatment is stopped.
References
- https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1543/pil
- www.drugs.com/zoladex.html
- www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/goserelin-subcutaneous-route/side-effects/drg-20067310
- www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a601002.html
- www.medicinenet.com/goserelin-injection/index.htm
- www.rxlist.com/zoladex-36-drug/patient-avoid-while-taking.htm
- www.breastcancercare.org.uk/information-support/facing-breast-cancer/going-through-treatment-breast-cancer/hormone-therapy-1
- chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/Zoladex.aspx
- www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-7103/zoladex-subcutaneous/details#precautions
This is six months after the zoladex injection and my period has not returned. Is this normal am really worried.
Hi Kehinde, I’m unsure as to what the injections were being used for since there are a few things it could have been. However if your body is fighting an infection or disease, it could be suppressing your menstrual cycle until you are healthy. The body is amazing that way in order to protect the mother it can and will prevent reproduction as well. I would consider speaking with your doctor however if you are concerned.
Let me wait for date to receive my periods then I”ll come back to you.
I received my period two weeks after receiving zoladex injection in September, 2018 after that I haven’t have it again this is the 2nd month is that normal
I finished zoladex (6 month) treatment on the 24th September for pelvic congestion. I have had the worst period pain and swelling of my tummy but no period? Is this normal?
Hello Jennifer, please see your doctor about this.
I have taken ZOLADEX10.6. I am in IVF process and waiting for transfer phase. After ZOLADEX, is it mandatory to start period ? because after ZOLADEX, without period I am starting progynova 2mg for endometrium lining. But its not growing. So any suggestion please
Hi Shara, that’s something i would recommend calling your doctor about and discussing what you should expect from taking this. Are you taking it for endometriosis? And how do you know the lining isn’t growing? These are questions that you should be calling your doctor for.
Hi
Just started my first period about 4 months after finishing my Zoladex injections. I was taking it to shrink uterine fibroids. I know its different for everyone but can someone tell me what to expect as all the sites I have looked at indicate I’m likely to experience a heavy prolonged painful period which I never had before.
Thanks
Hello Michaela, everyone is different, please see and speak with your doctor re what to expect.
This is my third zoladex injection but my periods haven’t stopped till now,does that mean it is not working on my endometriosis
Hi there Nikki, no this not necessarily mean so.