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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What medications can reduce the size of fibroids?

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    Fibroids Women's Health
    • 1 answer
    • Women's Health Queensland Wide
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  • Women's Health Queensland Wide

    Women's Health Queensland Wide provides free health information for Queensland women. View Profile

    Gonadotropin – releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists can stop the menstrual cycle and shrink fibroids.  For this reason they are sometimes used prior to surgery.

    GnRH agonists act by causing a temporary and reversible menopause like state. This can cause flow on effects which can be problematic. For this reason, they are only used for short periods of time (for up to six months). Once the medication is discontinued, fibroids normally return to their previous size.
     
    Other medications such as the combined oral contraceptive pill or progestogen releasing intrauterine device (IUD) are often trialed to control heavy bleeding and painful periods, prior to trialing GnRH agonists. They do not, however, shrink the size of the fibroid itself.

    Kirsty
    Women’s Health Educator
    Health Information Line, Women’s Health Queensland Wide
     
    Women living in Queensland can also call our Health Information Line - a free information and referral service for Queensland women - on 3839 9988 or 1800 017 676 (toll free outside Brisbane).
     
    Please note that all health information provided by Women’s Health Queensland Wide is subject to this disclaimer
     



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