Medicine for Fibroid Tumors

Uterine fibroids, also known as uterine myomas (leiomyoma), are made of muscle cells and other tissue that grow as a single tumor or in clusters of tumors within and around your uterus walls. Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous. None of the current medicines used to treat this condition prevent fibroids from forming or permanently shrinks them. However, there are medicines that will temporarily reduce the size of fibroids and/or reduce the intensity of the symptoms.

Types

• Uterine fibroids are classified based on where they grow. They may be just underneath your uterine lining (Submucosal), in between the muscles of your uterus (Intramural) or on the outside of your uterus (Subserosal). Stalks that grow out from the cavity of the uterus are called pedunculated fibroids. Where your fibroids are located influence what kind of symptoms you may experience and what type of treatment is available.

Size

• According to the National Institutes of Health the size of a fibroid may range from one inch to eight inches across or more. A cluster of fibroids can also vary in size. The NY Times Health Guide Article on Uterine Fibroids gives insight into one type of medication, GnRH agonists, that can reduce the size of fibroids by 30 to 90 percent. However, it is only recommended to be used for short lengths of time because long-term use causes bone density loss and may lead to osteoporosis. GnRH agonists include goserelin (Zoladex), buserelin, a monthly injection of leuprolide (depot Lupron), and nafarelin (Synarel), a nasal spray. These medications are injected drugs and cannot be taken by mouth, they are expensive and fibroids regrow after you stop taking them.

Symptoms

• Bleeding heavily (menorrhagia) is a symptom you may experience from fibroid. Heavy bleeding is a primary cause of anemia. Other symptoms include painful periods, bleeding between periods, urinating often, pain during sex, lower back pain, and feeling full in the lower abdomen or pelvic pressure. Birth control in the form of Oral contraceptives and Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are used to reduce heavy bleeding and bleeding between periods resulting from uterine fibroids.

Other Medicines

• Penn State Hershey recommends Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) as over-the-counter medicines that can reduce heavy bleeding as well as pain related to fibroids. Ibuprofen or naprosyn are NSAIDs. In addition, iron supplements are used to prevent anemia due to heavy bleeding related to fibroids.

Herbal Medicine

• Sara Hamer discusses the herbal medicine used for treatment of fibroids in her article on "Herbal Medicine and Fibroids." Yarrow, nettles, shepherd's purse, lady's mantle, cinnamon and bilberry all help in reducing prolonged or heavy bleeding. She suggests drinking several cups of tea a day made with Yarrow, Nettles and Cinnamon, during menstruation. You may also want to drink it several days before. Yarrow helps improve pelvic circulation and helps to relieve menstrual cramps. Other herbs that help improve circulation are ginger and rosemary. For muscle spasms, consider cramp bark, chamomile and lavender.

Expert Insight

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that no one knows what causes fibroids and more than one factor, such as hormones and genetics, could play a role. Since the scientific and medical community have no confirmed evidence on what causes fibroids, they cannot identify what makes them grow or shrink. They do know that fibroids are under hormonal control---both estrogen and progesterone. They grow during pregnancy, when hormone levels are high and shrink when anti-hormone medication is used and when you reach menopause.