Effect of injectable contraceptives Depo-Provera and norethisterone oenanthate on pituitary gonadotropin response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone.

The pituitary response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) was tested in women before and approximately 2, 8, and 12 weeks after the injection of either Depo-Provera or norethisterone oenanthate. The secretion of both luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone in response to LHRH was similar in the two groups of women, and the pituitary was capable of responding to LHRH at all times studied after injection of the gestagens. There was no statistically significant difference between the response obtained prior to injection and that at any of the other time periods studied after injection.