Memory complaints associated with the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists: A preliminary study

Objectives: To study the effect of GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) treatment on memory and to assess the role of psychological factors. Design: A randomized prospective study. Setting: An academic teaching hospital. Participants: Women with endometriosis and infertility or endometriosis alone. Main Outcome Measures: Memory Observation Questionnaire, Profile of Mood States, Health Concerns scale, a weekly diary of adverse effects. Results: Perceived memory functioning decreased during GnRH a administration and by the final week of treatment 44% of women reported moderate to marked impairment in comparison to community norms. Prospective memory was most affected and withdrawal of GnRH-a treatment resulted in a return to normal memory functioning. impairment was not related to excessive health concerns or mood changes and was uncorrelated with other adverse effects. Conclusions: Memory disruption may be a more common side effect of GnRH-a treatment than currently is recognized. Problems were temporary and more likely a result of rapid estrogen depletion than a consequence of mood, somatic distress, or personality factors.