Goserelin and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• Nat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 12, 2019

For Endometriosis "I was diagnosed with endometriosis at 19. I am now 43 and have had 2 laps with laser. My gynecologist told me I would never have children, but I went on to have 3 boys. I had a hysterectomy 3 years ago, oophorectomy with cyst 2 years ago, and a second oophorectomy with cyst 1 year ago - 3 operations in the last 3 years! I wanted a total hysterectomy, but my obstetrician refused. My endo is worse than ever. Please think twice before having a hysterectomy because, like in my case, it doesn't cure endo. I now have severe endo all over my bowel and it's still growing. They refuse to operate anymore due to the number of operations I've had. I am now trying Zoladex. The depression and mood swings are really bad. The worst part of endo is that it's an 'invisible' illness. I feel like no one cares because your leg isn't falling off or you don't have a plaster cast anywhere."

• Wit...
• February 15, 2016

For Prostate Cancer "My partner has been on and off Zoladex for nearly 6 years, with PSA first detected at 4000 and soaring between 0 - 600 - 50, but with 12-month breaks in treatment. He takes a regime of ganoderma mushroom extract, he believes this has also helped him stay very healthy and free of cancer symptoms. The only side effects and illness he suffers is from Zoladex. It probably has contributed to saving his life, but it has changed that life forever. He has huge mood swings, confusion, memory loss, fatigue, total loss of sexual function. In short, it keeps him alive but keeps him alive and completely altered. If you have low testosterone levels, then the side effects are mild. If you have high levels, it is personality changing."

• Des...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2017

For Endometriosis "Well, I have had 2 Zoladex injections. As my gynecologist said – symptoms will appear only after 4 weeks. Well, guess what – mine appeared only after the fourth day! Yep! And I have had all the symptoms. These 8 weeks have been the worst in my life. I have had: hot flashes – so bad during every night that my pillow and blanket are soaking wet, sweating, headaches, dizziness, mood changes, vaginal discharge – meaning a little bit of pee coming into my undies (sometimes not so little bit) – when I do not feel like I have to pee! Breast size reduction, bone pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, insomnia, acne, itching, and depression mood swings that are just so bad. Plus, my stomach has been so bloated, so gassy, so not functioning normally. The worst time in my entire life!!! I would never in a million years ever agree to this again. Better to be with endometriosis - as guess what, this does not cure it!!! So – might be all for nothing."

• kik...
• March 1, 2010

For Breast Cancer, Palliative "I am 32 years old, and I have to take Zoladex for 3 years with the medicine Tamoxifen for 5 years. I have been on Zoladex for about a year now. Some of my side effects include severe mood swings, hot flashes, loss of menstrual cycle, weight gain (28 pounds so far), loss of energy, swelling of hands, and forgetfulness."

• Haz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2016

For Endometriosis "The horrible side effects (even with HRT) were not worth it. The hot flashes, joint pain, mood swings, depression, and long-term effects on my bones were NOT worth it. I really wish doctors would stop trying to give me this as it only does harm. Endometriosis can only be helped by excision by a skilled surgeon and will only last for up to a few years. Please stop getting doctors to postpone proper treatment with this."

• Spr...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 26, 2016

For Breast Cancer, Palliative "I'm now 33 and have been taking Zoladex for 2 years alongside Tamoxifen for 10 years in the UK. This medication gave me the confidence not to have chemotherapy, and for this, I am grateful. The downsides are pretty bad, though. I agree with the previous reviewer. Mood swings, increased body temperature, severe hot flushes and night sweats (trying acupuncture to help), increased sex drive, no periods, significant weight gain! I went from 7.5 stone to 9.5 stone in 18 months, having never had much fluctuation in my weight ever before. My bra size also increased 3 cup sizes. I have gone from being very healthy and slim to quite flabby and 'technically' (BMI) overweight - which hits hard when you feel low self-esteem because of surgery anyway."

• Pat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 11, 2019

For Endometriosis "I have been on Zoladex for 5 years now. My hair is still falling out, which was beautiful and thick, now dry and thin. My skin is always dry, my hands sometimes crack, so I have had to take high doses of calcium as it is now thinning my bones. I also take zinc and iron to help with my hair and the constant tiredness. I take antidepressants but have terrible mood swings. However, I will keep taking the Zoladex as this by far outweighs constant hospital visits and staying in due to extreme bleeding, and then having to have blood transfusions on 2 occasions. It has changed my life as I don't have as many hospital visits and have not had to have another transfusion since."

• Jan...
• September 21, 2018

For Bleeding Disorder "I’m 40 and have no children. I was suffering abnormal bleeding due to fibroids, but no pain. I was losing so much blood, I had been rushed into the hospital on several occasions. The bleeding caused me to suffer severe anemia. I was really happy when Zoladex was suggested, as it meant I didn’t have to have a hysterectomy. Unfortunately, my experience was not good. I had my first injection, and about 2 weeks in, I was having cluster headaches, depression, my whole body ached, I was getting confused, the hot sweats were unbearable, I put nearly 2 stone on, and I was an emotional wreck. I still had the second injection and was taking HRT to help, but the Zoladex was taking over. The gynecologist had then told me not to have the 3rd. My last one was 7 weeks ago, but I’m feeling so much better already. I would never have Zoladex again. I’m booked in for a hysterectomy now and can’t wait for it all to be over so I can get back to being myself. I would never take Zoladex again."

• col...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2023

For Prostate Cancer "Early-stage prostate cancer. Now on the third session of the Zoladex implant. PSA rapidly reduced. No night sweats or mood swings. Definite muscle and energy loss despite regular visits to the gym to try and keep fit. Small price to pay."

• Anonymous
• November 27, 2011

For Endometriosis "I have used Zoladex 3-month implant for 9 months, as I suffer from pulmonary endometriosis. Zoladex was the only medication that successfully stopped my periods and stopped my lungs from collapsing every cycle. Positives would be no mood swings, clear skin, and no periods, therefore, no pain. Negatives would be I gained 10 kilos, which I'm working on losing, but the weight was better than having horrific lung pain. I did have a small amount of bone pain, but this has stopped since I've been off the medication for a month. The other negative is it's only subsidized in some parts of Australia. In one state, it's $25, in the other, $1000 for three months. I hope this helps. In many ways, Zoladex has helped me live a normal life again."

• lou...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 13, 2016

For Endometriosis "Have been on Zoladex once a month injections for a year now. Awful side effects for the first 8 months. Terrible joint pain, hot flushes, bowel habit changes, bad mood swings, complete lack of sex drive, depression that drove me to contemplate my place on earth, lethargy. Also, massive weight gain... over 2 stones. The plus is I now am free from periods and the horrific pain I endured. Prior to Zoladex, I had an ablation where they burned off my womb lining. This was unsuccessful. Make your choice as the side effects are really awful, but the pain I suffered was so life limiting. I would be screaming out in pain, unable to move a muscle. Now I am pain free."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 19, 2021

For Endometriosis "Did not help with endometriosis symptoms. Had terrible side effects like bone pain, joint pain, hot flashes, mood swings, hair loss. The side effects lasted for about a year after treatment with Zoladex ended."

• bga...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 23, 2021

For Endometriosis "Diagnosed with stage 5 endometriosis at 22. Was put on Synarel nasal spray after surgery in an attempt to reduce leftover bowel endometriosis. Switched to Zoladex after two months on Synarel as I was worried I wasn't taking it correctly. Loved being on Zoladex, despite the hot flushes, mood swings, bit of weight gain. I had no bleeding until the Mirena insertion around my 3rd injection. During the Mirena insertion, the gyno noted a vaginal nodule, meaning the Zoladex unfortunately did not work to reduce the bowel endometriosis."

• GGa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 8, 2025

"Had 3 injections to reduce the size of the fibroid. The scan showed that it reduced the fibroid from 10 to 7 cm, but then following the operation, my surgeon said the fibroid was 10 cm. So I don't know if it reduced the fibroid by much. My only problem with this fibroid was that it was blocking my bladder and giving me urinary retention. This stopped as soon as I had my first injection. I was fine with the first 2 injections, but the third was not good. The hot flushes have been intense. It has now been almost 2 months since that 3rd injection, and the hot flushes are still very bad. All day and all night. Hot, cold, sweating. And the insomnia and mood swings. I wish I had not taken this medicine. I should have had the surgery from the outset and not taken the Zoladex."

• Lys...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2021

For Endometriosis "At first, reading all of the scary reviews and side effects, I was so scared to try Zoladex for my endometriosis symptoms. I was truly desperate, miserable, and out of options at the time. Zoladex saved me (temporarily, until I could get my excision surgery)! To start, I had terrible cramping and bleeding. After the first two injections (monthly injections), I was almost symptoms free from my large cysts and endo pain. It's not right for everyone, but it can work for some! Hot flashes and mood swings aside, I'll take that over the pain I was in daily."

• Ton...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2025

For Endometriosis "I was diagnosed with adenomyosis. My period pain was so bad. My doctor suggested Zoladex. I am approaching my 4th injection of 6. I am currently experiencing mood swings, nausea, and I am depressed. I lost weight as well. I am trying to eat better. I don't have much of a sex drive either. I honestly just want to get to the end and hopefully that all I have been through was worth it. I pray I never have to go through this again. Currently, Gravol is my friend."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2022

For Endometriosis "I was on Zoladex for about 6 months in the hope it would help my endo. Although it didn't, because it turned out it was endo level 5 and everything was stuck to everything else, so I had a hysterectomy (15 min) and nearly 6 hours of endo removal in February 2022. I asked my surgeon if I could go back on Zoladex, but I was only allowed for 6 months, which was great because they left my ovaries in. I'm now on Slinda, it is awful. Pain has increased again, and my mood is like PMS on steroids. I'd like to know if there's a similar medication to Zoladex that I can have for more than 6 months at a time. I'm not at menopause age yet, but far out. They should have taken my ovaries out. The pill nor Mirena or any of those have ever worked for me. Always made the pain worse since I was 15. I've been lucky enough to have one baby, and I'm so grateful. I just don't want to be like King Kong all the time. Thanks, any suggestions are welcome."

• Nas...
• February 4, 2010

For Prostate Cancer "I was on this first with tablets for a fortnight, then injections once a month for 3 months. It gave me severe mood swings and forgetfulness."