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.