This medication is given as an injection (shot), either every month or every three months, and puts you in a temporary state of menopause. While on the medication the fibroids shrink. Once the medication is stopped, the fibroids usually re-grow and symptoms return. GnRH agonists are usually used to prepare women for surgery or to treat women who are close to their natural menopause, after which, fibroids usually shrink on their own. GnRH agonists are not usually used for long-term treatment.
Progestins (oral, by injection or intra-uterine device [IUD]), oral contraceptive pills, androgenic agents (such as danazol) and anti-estrogens (such as raloxifene) may be used to try to control heavy bleeding in women with fibroids. Although studies show they offer limited benefit.
Uterine Artery Embolization or Fibroid Embolization are performed by an interventional radiologist who places a small pellet inside the artery that feeds the fibroids. The blood flow to the uterus and/or fibroid is thereby blocked, leading to necrosis and a gradual shrinkage of the fibroid. To learn more, click here for the Society of Interventional Radiology and American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound uses ultrasound energy to heat and destroy the fibroid and cause it to gradually shrink. For more information click here for the Society of Interventional Radiology and American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Fibroids can also be treated with hysterectomy, which involves removing the uterus with the fibroids.