Can fibroids be treated with medication?
Several medications have been marketed to control the symptoms of fibroids. Unfortunately, no medication exist that can permanently shrink the fibroids once they are present. Medication can temporarily reduce the size of the majority of fibroids and decrease the amount of menstrual bleeding, allowing a window of time for some women to prepare physically and emotionally for surgery. Currently, Lupron and Synarel are most commonly used to shrink fibroids. They work by temporarily shutting off the ovary from producing female hormones and stopping menstruation. In about two weeks the medication begins to shrink the fibroids and the full effect is seen after three months. About 75% of treated fibroids will decrease in size by about 50% in three months. The shrinkage is maintained as long as the patient is using medication, but further shrinkage after the third month of treatment is rare. Unfortunately, if the medication is stopped, the ovaries begin to produce female hormones again, and fib
