Uterine fibroids, benign (non-cancerous) growths in the uterus, are a very common occurrence among women of any race and ethnicity between ages 35 to 55 years old.
Also medically called leiomyomas, uterine fibroids are harmless growths and do not need any treatment. Some women exhibit no symptoms at all, but there are those who experience the entire spectrum.
Having fibroids is directly linked to a woman’s hormones. That is why there is a standing medical debate on whether low dose birth control pills contribute or even cause the growth of fibroid tumors.
Birth Control Pills and Fibroids
It’s believed that the growth of fibroids is directly linked to estrogen. Estrogen levels in women increase when they are nearing menopausal age. But generally, all women in their reproductive age are prone to having fibroids.
Estrogen levels also increase steadily during pregnancy. This, however, does not necessarily mean that the fibroid will grow and change in size. Moreover, fibroids do not affect the development of the baby. It can only cause minor pain and discomfort for pregnant women.
As you probably know, some birth control pills have high levels of estrogen. Women with fibroids are advised to stay away from those or at least stick to low-dose varieties. Another option is opting for progestin-only mini pills or any other low dose birth control pill.
Today, there’s an assortment of birth control pills on the market with varying doses or estrogen and progesterone. It is crucial to have your hormone levels checked by a doctor and get prescribed the right type of birth control pills to use.
Regular monitoring of fibroids is also recommended, especially when it comes to knowing what triggers growth and to assess the possibility of developing painful fibroids.
The Search for Better Treatment
Despite often being considered as a risk, birth control pills can be used in such a way that they end up helping those afflicted with fibroids.
According to a 2014 publication by the U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information, hormonal therapies using birth control pills actually can help women shrink fibroid tumors. This is especially helpful for women before menopause or for those not fit to undergo surgery.
In 2012, Harvard published a study about an emergency contraceptive drug, ulipristal acetate (Ella), which helps treat symptoms of fibroids and reduce its size. Results show improvement in two clinical trials, with the first having been conducted on 242 women and the second on 307 women, all of whom exhibited excessive bleeding due to fibroids.
As a follow-up on this study, a 2018 online article on MD Magazine discusses ulipristal acetate as a new drug now approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat abnormal and excessive bleeding in women with uterine fibroids.
An Optimistic Future for Women
Today, invasive surgery remains the most popular solution to treat bothersome fibroids. With the development and improvement of this new oral drug, however, it can pave the way to a more manageable means of shrinking fibroids and stopping abnormal bleeding.
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