Chemotherapy has significantly improved the prognosis for patients with cancer and some non-cancerous conditions. This treatment, however, is associated with ovarian toxicity. Factors which may affect the risk level of chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage include the patient's age and type of chemotherapy regime. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues, which are artificial hormone derivatives, can protect the ovaries by suppressing the gonadotrophin hormone, which stimulates ovary function and decreases blood flow, making them less sensitive to the chemotherapy drugs.
Included studies in this review showed that injections of GnRH agonists protected menstruation and ovulation after chemotherapy, whereas intranasal administration of GnRH agonists had no protective effect. The use of GnRH agonists therefore should be considered in women of reproductive age who are treated with chemotherapy and should be given throughout the course of chemotherapy treatment.