Ulipristal Acetate versus Placebo for Fibroid Treatment before Surgery

In this trial involving women with symptomatic fibroids who were planning to undergo surgery, treatment with the selective progesterone-receptor modulator ulipristal acetate was effective in controlling excessive bleeding and reducing fibroid size at 13 weeks. Uterine leiomyomas, or fibroids, are benign, hormone-sensitive, smooth-muscle tumors that occur in 20 to 40% of women of reproductive age. 1 , 2 The most common symptoms are menorrhagia and iron-deficiency anemia, which may lead to chronic fatigue 3 that may not be adequately controlled with iron supplementation alone. 4 – 6 Other symptoms include pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and pressure effects, which may adversely affect quality of life and fertility. 7 – 10 Many patients require intervention, and the choice of treatment is guided by the patient's age and desire to preserve fertility and avoid hysterectomy. 10 Fibroids are the most common indication for hysterectomy. 1 Other treatments include . . .