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Information about uterine fibroids
Minimally Invasive Therapy Unit & Endoscopy Training Centre
University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Royal Free Hospital
Pond Street
Hampstead
London NW3 2QG, UK

Medical treatment

Treatment with tablets are indicated if your fibroids are relatively small and your main problems are heavy or painful periods. In this situation, drugs such as tranexamic acid or mefenamic acid can be prescribed by your doctor. Unfortunately, these drugs do not cure the fibroids, so you may have to take them for many years. Similarly, they do not tend to work as well as in women with heavy periods who do not have fibroids.

GnRH analogues are sometimes used for short-term symptom relief or prior to surgery. These drugs have the effect of inducing a pseudo-menopause, and the effect of treatment is to shrink the fibroids by about 35% after 3 months of treatment. Periods often stop as well. However, side effects related to falling oestrogen levels make this treatment unsuitable for long-term management in the majority of cases.

As heavy periods are a common cause of anaemia, you may also be asked to take regular iron replacement to correct this.

Ultimately, many women who try medical treatment request something more definitive. Medical treatment may also not be the best choice if the fibroids are large, or are causing other problems such as pressure symptoms or subfertility.

PROS
Avoids surgery

 

CONS
Treatment may have side effects
Drugs may have to be continued for several years
Drugs are not curative

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THIS SITE: Home ¦ What are fibroids ¦ Symptoms ¦ Diagnosis ¦ Treatment overview ¦ Medical treatment ¦ Myomectomy ¦ Hysterectomy ¦ Uterine artery embolisation ¦ Operation movies ¦ Fibroid Clinic
USEFUL INFORMATION: Other fibroid web sites ¦ Heavy periods ¦ Pelvic pain¦ Infertility ¦ Endometriosis ¦ Adhesions ¦ Polycystic ovaries
CONTACT: Appointment ¦ Find us ¦ Downloads ¦ Guestbook ¦ Comments or enquiry
USEFUL LINKS: One Stop Fertility Clinic ¦ Royal Free Hospital ¦ Gynaecology Workshops ¦ MRCOG & DRCOG Courses ¦ Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists ¦ The Hysterectomy Association ¦ Really Useful Software

MEDICAL NOTES
Tranexamic acid (Cyclokapron)

Fibrin dissolution can be impaired by the administration of tranexamic acid, which inhibits fibrinolysis. It can be particularly useful in menorrhagia.

Cautions, contra- indications and side effects
Discuss with your doctor.

Dose for heavy periods:
1g 3 times daily for up to 4 days; max. 4g daily.

Mefenamic acid (Ponstan)

Mefenamic acid is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which is used especially in gynaecology to manage heavy and/or painful periods.

Cautions, contra- indications and side effects
Discuss with your doctor.

Dose for heavy periods:
500 mg 3 times daily, preferably after food.

Information taken from British National Formulary (No. 47).