Hormone Therapy for Uterine Fibromyoma

Uterine fibromyoma is a condition involving growths or fibroids in the wall of the uterus. The fibroids are non-cancerous and can vary in size. Fibroids grow as estrogen levels in the body increase. Hormone therapy that is used for other conditions can cause the growth of these fibroids. Decreasing the amount of estrogen in the blood is one of the treatments that is used to shrink the size of fibroids.

Hormone Treatments

• Hormone treatments that may cause the increased growth of fibroids include birth control medications and estrogen replacement therapy during menopause. Pregnancy can also increase the growth of these fibroids because of the increase in estrogen during a pregnancy.
  Most fibroids do not require treatment and do not cause any symptoms. In cases where symptoms occur such as heavy bleeding, prolonged menstruation, pain during intercourse and pain in the lower abdomen require treatment. When hormone therapy or reducing the amount of estrogen in the blood is used to treat fibromyoma, there will be an occurrence of symptoms similar to menopause.
  Women who are undergoing hormone replacement therapy to combat the symptoms of menopause may be required to stop using the hormone to slow the growth of fibroids. Fibroids that are causing pain or heavy bleeding may require surgical intervention to relieve the symptoms.

Decreasing Hormone Complications

• A decreased amount of estrogen in the blood can cause a number of complications for women. Treating fibromyoma with decreased estrogen is a short-term solution, however, when estrogen levels return to normal, fibroids will begin to grow again.
  Complications that can arise from decreasing estrogen in women with fibroids include hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats, irregular menstruation, vaginal dryness, lack of interest in sexual activity and mood swings. Osteoporosis and an increased risk of heart disease are also linked with a decrease in estrogen levels.
  Hormone therapy is only a short-term solution to fibromyoma and removing the fibroids should be considered when heavy bleeding or pain is experienced. Surgery or laser therapy to destroy the fibroids is the best approach to women with this condition. Removing the fibroids will allow estrogen levels to remain intact, which will not lead to further complications or symptoms.

Surgical Intervention

• Surgery to remove the uterus for women who are experiencing the symptoms of fibromyoma is recommended to women who are not planning to have children. Surgery can be performed to remove the fibroids only and leave the uterus in place. In approximately 10 percent of cases where the fibroids are removed while leaving the uterus in place, the fibroids grow back.