Ovarian suppression is a way to slow the growth of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in premenopausal women. Ovarian suppression uses drug therapy or surgery to prevent the ovaries from making estrogen. This stops menstrual periods and lowers hormone levels in the body (similar to a natural menopause), so the tumor can’t get the estrogen it needs to grow.

Ovarian suppression is always given in combination with tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor. It’s not used instead of these therapies.

Leuprolide, or Lupron, and goserelin, also known as Zoladex, are ovarian suppression drugs. For most women, the ovaries start making estrogen again when drug therapy is stopped and they can avoid early menopause.

Leuprolide is given by injection and goserelin is delivered by an implant, usually in the abdomen. Each drug can cause a variety of side effects. Women treated for ovarian suppression should discuss potential side effects in detail with their health care provider.

Oophorectomy, the surgical removal of the ovaries, can also induce ovarian suppression by stopping the production of estrogen and progesterone. This permanently ends menstrual periods and leads to early menopause.

Ovarian suppression combined with tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor causes more side effects from the loss of estrogen than the use of tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor alone.

More information about treatment options for breast cancer is available in the Treatment section of the Komen website.