Can a daily pill lighten heavy menstrual bleeding caused by fibroids?

Fibroids are generally benign (not cancerous) tumors that form within the tissues of the uterus. They are very common in reproductive-age women: studies report that up to 70% of white women and 80% of Black women may develop fibroids by age 50. And research suggests Black women are more likely to experience severe or very severe symptoms related to fibroids, such as heavy and sometimes prolonged monthly periods. In some cases, women seek medical care due to menstrual bleeding so heavy that they develop anemia and require iron supplements or, much more rarely, blood transfusions. The FDA recently approved new medicine, taken as a pill, that may help some women reduce heavy bleeding caused by fibroids. Surgery and injections help some women Until recently, the treatment options for heavy bleeding due to fibroids were limited to surgical procedures or an injection of a medication called leuprolide, which is given monthly or every three months to help shrink fibroids and lighten bleeding. While these treatments are effective for some women, each has risks and disadvantages: Any surgical procedure comes with a risk of infection. Additionally, excess bleeding requiring transfusion, hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), injury to other pelvic or abdominal organs, and recurrence of the fibroids are possible. In some cases, fertility is affected as well. Regular injections of leuprolide have significant side effects, as this medication essentially puts women into medically induced me...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Fertility Health Health care disparities Women's Health Source Type: blogs