Which uterine fibroids can be treated with medication of choice?

  The incidence of uterine fibroids is high, reaching more than 30%. In outpatient clinics, we often see women who are terrified to learn that they have fibroids, thinking that they can’t escape the knife after all, and some patients think that medication can cure all fibroids and take medication for a long time. In fact, both surgery and medication have their indications.  Generally speaking, patients with uterine fibroids that are suitable for drug treatment need to meet the following conditions: 1, the uterus is better if its size does not exceed 8 weeks of pregnancy; 2, no symptoms or mild symptoms; 3, women close to menopausal age: because uterine fibroids have the characteristic of shrinking after menopause. It is possible to achieve the purpose of “shrinkage” through artificial menopause, and the tumor can even be reduced by more than half, thus possibly avoiding surgery. This is particularly effective for women who are approaching menopause.  4.A few women who do not belong to the above-mentioned cases, but whose physical condition does not allow them to undergo surgery, can also be treated with medication.  Medications are selected according to different situations. The following drugs are often used: injectable or oral androgens as well as mifepristone orally; pituitary gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists: effective, but relatively expensive.  Note: In young patients, drugs causing pseudo-menopause can bring some uncomfortable symptoms and thus should not last too long. The fibroids will grow again gradually after stopping the treatment. Currently, it is only used for special periods, such as striving for pregnancy, relieving anemia and reducing the difficulty of surgery (e.g. those who choose laparoscopic or hysteroscopic surgery).  The tumor is expected to shrink when small fibroids less than 3 cm in diameter are treated with herbs that activate blood circulation and resolve stagnation. For cases with small fibroids and severe bleeding symptoms, the use of herbal treatment can also significantly reduce the amount of bleeding and improve anemia, which can avoid surgery, although it cannot completely eliminate the fibroids. However, herbal treatment is not suitable for everyone.