Fibroid Facts Understanding Fibroids Fibroid Treatment About Lupron Depot Help During Therapy About Therapy and Treatment
Quick Facts
Which of the following is another name for fibroids?
myomas
leiomyomas
leiomyomata uteri
all of the above

Common Questions


Fibroids

1.  What are fibroids?
2.  What causes fibroids?
3.  What are the risk factors for developing fibroids?
4.  What are the symptoms of fibroids?
5.  Are there complications from fibroids?
6.  Are fibroids cancerous?
7.  How are fibroids diagnosed?
8.  Is it necessary to treat fibroids?
9.  How are fibroids treated?
10.  What types of surgery are performed on fibroids?

Lupron Depot®

11.  What is Lupron Depot®?
12.  What are the possible side effects from Lupron Depot?
13.  Do women taking Lupron Depot still get their periods?
14.  Is it possible to become pregnant while taking Lupron Depot?


1. What are fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are growths, or tumors, that develop in the muscular wall of the uterus. They may also be called myomas, leiomyomas, leiomyomata uteri, or simply fibroids. Fibroids are generally benign–that is, they are not cancerous (malignant). A woman may have just one fibroid, or many.

Fibroids are the most common kind of growths of the uterus. In fact, it is believed that approximately 20 to 30% of women have fibroids.

Uterine fibroids can range in size, for example from as small as a grape (less than 1 inch) to larger than a melon. They can appear:

  • Beneath the outer surface of the uterus
  • Totally within the wall of the uterus
  • Inside the uterus

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2. What causes fibroids?

Not much is known about the cause of fibroids. But evidence suggests that their growth is related to estrogen and possibly other hormones. In fact, increased levels of these hormones may speed up the growth rate of the fibroids.

There are several factors that can cause estrogen levels to rise or fall. For example, estrogen levels rise and fall during the menstrual cycle. If you are pregnant or taking certain kinds of birth control pills, your estrogen level increases. When you enter menopause, your estrogen level decreases as your body stops producing estrogen. As a result, fibroids tend to be much less of a problem at this stage of a woman's life.

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3. What are the risk factors for developing fibroids?

There are a few factors that seem to play a role in a woman's risk of developing fibroids. They include:

Age

 Middle-aged women are commonly diagnosed with fibroids

Weight

 Overweight women are at a higher risk for fibroids

Race

 African-American women tend to have the highest frequency of fibroids, although fibroids have been found in women of all ethnic backgrounds

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4. What are the symptoms of fibroids?

Women who have a lot of fibroids or especially large ones may have symptoms that cause them to seek medical help. These symptoms could include:

  • Heavy or abnormal menstrual bleeding
  • Bleeding between periods

If you think you have some of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. He or she can begin performing exams and recommend tests to find out if you have fibroids.

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5. Are there complications from fibroids?

Excessive bleeding due to fibroids may lead to anemia. Fibroids may interfere with a woman's ability to become pregnant and have a child.

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6. Are fibroids cancerous?

Fibroids are generally benign–that is, they are not cancerous or malignant. Your doctor can explain more about fibroids, their symptoms and complications, and possible treatment options.

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7. How are fibroids diagnosed?

Fibroids can be diagnosed through gynecological exams and a variety of tests. During a routine pelvic exam, your doctor will feel the size and shape of your uterus. If it seems to be enlarged or irregularly shaped, fibroids may be the cause.

The tests a doctor may recommend for diagnosing fibroids include:

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8. Is it necessary to treat fibroids?

Not always. Not all women who have fibroids need treatment. If fibroids don't cause any problems in a woman's day-to-day life, and she doesn't have pain or excessive bleeding, treatment might not be necessary. Also, when a woman is at the end of her reproductive years and her body produces less estrogen, the fibroids may shrink on their own.

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9. How are fibroids treated?

There are several treatments for fibroids, including non-surgical procedures such as uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) or uterine artery embolization (UAE). The main treatment for women who have large fibroids, uncomfortable symptoms, or excessive uterine bleeding from fibroids is surgery. Prior to fibroid surgery, a hormone treatment such as Lupron Depot® may be recommended by doctors to help improve anemia that results from excessive bleeding due to fibroids.

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10. What types of surgery are performed on fibroids?

Fibroid surgery falls into two categories: conservative and nonconservative. With conservative surgery, only the fibroids are removed, not the uterus. One procedure is called myomectomy. Another type of conservative surgery used to treat fibroids is myolysis.

Hysterectomy is considered nonconservative surgery. With a subtotal hysterectomy, the uterus is removed and possibly the fallopian tubes and ovaries as well. In a total hysterectomy, the entire uterus and cervix are removed–and sometimes the ovaries as well.

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11. What is Lupron Depot?

Lupron Depot (leuprolide acetate for depot suspension) belongs to a class of drugs called gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa). Lupron Depot is a synthetic version of the body's naturally occurring GnRH. In combination with iron therapy, Lupron Depot is used before surgery to help improve anemia that results from excessive bleeding due to fibroids. The use of Lupron Depot may reduce or stop the bleeding by decreasing your body's production of estrogen.

Lupron Depot is given as one injection (-3 Month 11.25 mg), or once a month for up to 3 months (3.75 mg).

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12. What are the possible side effects from Lupron Depot?

Lupron Depot works by decreasing the amount of estrogen that your ovaries produce. As a result of lower estrogen levels, during Lupon Depot therapy you may experience symptoms such as hot flashes, headaches, and vaginal dryness.

These side effects should generally disappear and estrogen levels gradually return to normal after the course of treatment with Lupron Depot is completed. A small amount of bone mineral density loss (average 2.7% at month 3) may also occur during therapy, but this may be partially or completely recovered after a woman stops taking Lupron Depot. As a comparison, during lactation, studies show that a woman may experience bone density loss of up to 5%.

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13. Do women taking Lupron Depot still get their periods?

Some women may have a light period or spotting during Lupron Depot therapy, but most will stop menstruating after the second month of Lupron Depot treatment. Periods usually return two months after the treatment stops.

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14. Is it possible to become pregnant while taking Lupron Depot?

Yes. If you are sexually active, it is possible to become pregnant while on Lupron Depot. It's important that you use a nonhormonal contraceptive (such as a diaphragm or condom) as a preventative measure. If you think you are pregnant during your Lupron Depot therapy, tell your doctor immediately.

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©2004, 2008 Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois, U.S.A.

Other Important Information:

Lupron Depot® (3.75 mg and - 3 Month 11.25 mg), in combination with iron, is used for the preoperative treatment of anemia associated with uterine fibroids. Most common side effects with Lupron Depot are generally those related to low estrogen levels, including hot flashes, headaches, and vaginal dryness. A small amount of bone loss (average 2.7% at month three) may also occur during therapy.

For further information about Lupron Depot, please see the complete Prescribing Information, as well as the Patient Product Information.