OTHER MEDICAL-MANAGEMENT OF UTERINE FIBROIDS

Several medicines an emerging with the potential to treat symptomatic uterine fibroids. Anti-progesterone compounds seem particularly promis ing. These drugs have been widely used for nearly 20 years and are kno wn to be safe; medical politics have prevented their proper investigat ion for uterine fibroids. In particular, the value of mifepristone, 50 mg per day for 3 months, seems particularly promising. Further invest igation is clearly warranted for this medicine. Several anti-oestrogen compounds have recently become available and may also be useful for t he medical treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids. This includes th e possibility of the use of selective oestrogen receptor modulators as well as the prospect of the use of pure anti-oestrogens. On a longer time frame, inhibitors of angiogenesis may be useful. These medicines would act upon the blood supply to uterine fibroids. Physicians also h ave an obligation to investigate scientifically any promising naturopa thic treatment that appears to have possible activity for symptomatic fibroids.