Some of the side effects of Danazol are due to the low levels of oestrogen in the body. These side effects are those usually associated with the menopause and they include hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness.
Danazol may also affect blood sugar levels and the way that the body uses sugars. In particular, it can cause a decreased glucose tolerance. Women with diabetes should be monitored carefully while taking Danazol.
Danazol also alters the levels of fats and cholesterol in the blood during treatment in the same way as people who are at risk of developing heart disease. Although there is no proof that longer treatment is harmful, most doctors are not prepared to continue Danazol treatment for more than six to nine months at a time because of the possibility that it may increase your risk of developing heart disease later in life.
Danazol can also cause a wide range of miscellaneous side effects including vaginal bleeding, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, depression, skin rash, fatigue, irritability, mood swings, decreased libido, insomnia, jaundice and liver disease.
Vaginal bleeding is common, particularly in the first two months of treatment. The bleeding may be intermittent spotting or staining, or it may be like a scant period. Generally, this does not mean that the treatment is not working. It usually resolves itself in time and most women will stop bleeding by the end of the second month of treatment.
Muscle cramps, which are common, may be severe and distressing.
You can stop taking Danazol at any stage if you are unable to cope with the side effects. First contact your gynecologist and discuss your problems as there may be ways to manage the symptoms.
When you stop taking Danazol you will usually start ovulating and menstruating within four to six weeks. Most of the side effects of Danazol will disappear soon after you have completed your course of treatment.
Most women who become pregnant do so within six to twelve months of completing their treatment of Danazol. In the past there has been some controversy regarding how soon after completing treatment you should try to conceive. Some gynecologists believed that it was probably best to avoid becoming pregnant until you had one normal period in order to allow the Danazol to be completely cleared from your body before you became pregnant. Most gynecologists now believe that there is no advantage in delaying conception and that you can start trying to conceive as soon as you have finished your course of Danazol.
There is no information available about the long-term side effects of taking a single course of Danazol therapy and even less is known about the long-term effects of taking repeated or prolonged courses.
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