When are drugs used to treat uterine fibroids?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Thi Man - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.
Uterine fibroids are a common gynecological disease in women, greatly affecting the health and quality of life of patients. Up to now, the disease has been and is being treated by many methods. Treatment of uterine fibroids with drugs is usually indicated when the tumor is small, with little impact on the patient's health.

1. What are uterine fibroids? Why is treatment necessary?

Uterine fibroids are tumors (envelopes or sacs containing fluid) that form in the uterus singly or in clusters. Depending on the degree of growth of the tumor, the contents of the tumor can be gaseous. , liquid or viscous form.
Although it is a common gynecological disease, if left untreated, uterine fibroids can cause many health problems such as:
Menstrual disorders Abnormal bleeding Unusual lower abdominal pain or when it's time to get your period...

2. When are drugs used to treat uterine fibroids?

The treatment of uterine fibroids does not always use medical methods (drugs) but also depends on the development of the cyst. For tumors that are growing rapidly at an uncontrollable rate, potentially causing dangerous complications for patients, doctors are required to use surgical methods to definitively treat these cysts. this.
In the treatment of uterine fibroids, drugs often have the main purpose of preventing as well as inhibiting the larger growth of tumors, and at the same time limiting the return of the disease. Thanks to that, the symptoms caused by uterine fibroids will also improve quickly.
The following cases will be recommended by doctors to treat with drugs:
Small fibroids and no clinical symptoms (usually detected through routine physical / gynecological exams), cysts no effect on health. Patients with uterine cysts are in the pre-operative preparation period. For patients with cysts that have just formed and are very small in size, without signs of inflammation, the patient may not need treatment but only periodic monitoring.

3. Synthesis of drugs to treat uterine fibroids

Depending on the health status as well as the size of the uterine fibroids, the doctor will have the appropriate drug indications. For patients with frequent menorrhagia, some iron supplements will be recommended to reduce the risk of anemia. If uterine fibroids do not have clinical symptoms, some of the following classes of drugs will be suggested.
3.1. Combination birth control pills This group of drugs can inhibit ovulation and reduce the hormone estrogen, causing tumors to gradually shrink. At the same time, the bleeding caused by cysts will also be improved under the effect of the drug.
Not only shrinking the tumor size, the group of combined oral contraceptives can also effectively inhibit tumor growth, especially with newly papillary tumors. However, birth control pills are usually only indicated for a certain period of time because when used regularly, patients not only have to suffer negative effects from the side effects of the drug, but can also face a reduction in the number of birth control pills. fertility and even infertility.
3.2. Synthetic Progestins The pain caused by uterine cysts will quickly improve thanks to the effects of the synthetic Progestin group of drugs. Besides, this group of drugs also has many other benefits such as improving menstruation every month, shrinking the size of tumors and preventing pregnancy.
Currently, the Progestins drug group has the following popular types:
Lynestrenol 5mg: take 2 times a day, 1 tablet each time. Norethisterone 5mg: take 2 times a day, 1 tablet each time. Dydrogesterone: about 10-30mg per day. Nomegestrol Acetate 5mg: 1 time per day, 1 tablet each time. Progestins are generally safer than other birth control pills and are also less likely to cause unpleasant side effects such as headaches, upset stomach, etc. However, they can cause menstrual disturbances and make you feel hungry. thereby making women more prone to weight gain, nausea and decreased libido, vaginal secretions of a lot of vaginal discharge.

3.3. GnRH agonists GnRH is a class of agonist drugs that reduce the production of Progesterone and Estrogen in the body, halting a woman's menstrual period. GnRH is commonly used to help shrink tumors and reduce anemia in women. This is also the most effective drug in the treatment of uterine fibroids in medical treatment.
Currently, GnRH agonists include the following popular types:
Triptorelin: dose is 3.75mg per month, intramuscular. Leuprolide: 3.75mg per month, intramuscularly. Goserelin: 3.6mg per month, injected or implanted under the skin in the abdomen. GnRH agonists are often used in the interim. This drug can improve the patient's condition, so it is suitable for the group of subjects who are in menopause or patients who do not want to have surgery.
If the patient is indicated for surgery, the use of GnRH should be prescribed at least 3 months before to shrink the tumor, help the success rate of surgery higher and reduce the risk of major blood loss in the patient. .
It can be said that the treatment of uterine fibroids with drugs is a safe method for patients whose fibroids have not grown or are waiting for surgery. However, you may experience some side effects while taking the medication.
To achieve high efficiency in the treatment of uterine fibroids, you need to have an in-depth examination, identify the tumor to have appropriate medical and surgical treatments.
With many years of experience in the examination and treatment of gynecological diseases, Vinmec International General Hospital has now become one of the major health care centers, capable of examining and screening and treat many specialized gynecological diseases. Therefore, if you have symptoms or have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, you can go to Vinmec International General Hospital to examine and receive support and advice from doctors, ensuring your health as well. like fertility.

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