Do you hope there are tablets to shrink fibroids? Well, if you have non-cancerous growths in your uterus, it’s only natural for you to want to get rid of them. Or, to find a way to relieve the symptoms they cause, such as heavy periods, pelvic pain, and bladder issues.
But is it even possible to shrink fibroids? And, if so, are there medications that can perform this task? Keep reading to find out!
Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that form on or in your uterus. Even if they form as small tumors, they can grow with time. In fact, some women’s fibroids can measure in at over 8cm in diameter.
What are these tumors made of? Fibroids are formed with muscle cells and connective tissue. And, in some cases, you don’t even know they’re there, because they aren’t causing any symptoms. But, in other cases, fibroid symptoms are disruptive and severe, sometimes causing pain or bleeding that serious enough to send women to the emergency room.
Currently, there are several medications that may help manage fibroids. Some women find symptom relief by taking hormonal birth control. But there’s a risk involved with this treatment option, since the hormones could also trigger fibroid growth.
More recently, women have been offered the option to try medications such as Esyma or Fibristal that help with heavy menstrual bleeding. Unfortunately, we now know that, in rare cases, these drugs can cause serious injury to your liver. So, while these aren’t tablets to shrink fibroids, they are drugs worth avoiding. Especially if you’re already at risk for liver disease.
There’s a new drug called linzagolix (Yselty is it’s brand name) that, according to one Lancet study, could help shrink fibroids. Basically, when taken orally, this medication slows down your body’s ability to produce estrogen. In turn, the medication could not only relieve certain symptoms, it could even shrink existing tumors.
In announcing his findings on the medication, study author Dr. Hugh S. Taylor said, “No treatments to date for fibroid growth are something I would ever want my patients to take for a prolonged period of time, as they did not treat the underlying cause of the problem.” In contrast, Yselty appears to be “an extremely well-tolerated class of drugs that can control fibroid growth. We’ve never had anything like that before.”
How come this drug has the potential to shrink fibroids? The key seems to lie in its ability to block estrogen receptors without overstimulating them. Plus, as an oral medication, doctors can easily adjust doses. In this way, you can reduce estrogen production to the point where your fibroids shrink. But you may be able to avoid side effects of estrogen deprivation, with careful dosage monitoring.
As with any medication, Yselty may cause unwanted side effects. And it could interfere with other prescription medications. As such, you may prefer to explore other fibroid treatment options instead. One option to consider is a class of drugs known as GnRH agonists. (Examples include goserelin, Buserelin, nafarelin and leuprorelin (Prostap). Unlike Yselty, you can take these medications as nasal sprays or via injection, in order to relieve fibroid-related pain and bleeding. Unfortunately, the medications work by stopping all hormone production in your body. In turn, you won’t ovulate or menstruate. So, if you want to have a baby anytime soon, these medications won’t be your best treatment option.
Looking for a fibroid treatment that shrink your fibroids without sending you into menopause or subjecting you to surgery? Reach out to our fibroid specialists in Atlanta, and request a consultation to discuss Uterine Fibroid Embolization. This minimally invasive treatment can shrink fibroids without changing your hormones, requiring surgery, or making you stay overnight in the hospital. Call or contact us here today to see if you’re a candidate for UFE!
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