Treatment of uterine leiomyomas in the perimenopause

Treatment options for the perimenopausal woman with symptomatic uterine fibroids include expectant management, medical therapy, and surgical intervention. Expectant management with close clinical follow-up evaluation is the treatment of choice for either the patient with minimal symptomatic complaints or the patient with contraindications to medical or surgical options. Conservative medical management options for perimenopausal patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids include the use of nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists. Some perimenopausal patients with uterine fibroids are best treated surgically, especially those patients for whom expectant or medical management fails. Patient characteristics and physician preference dictate use of preoperative gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy and choice of surgical approach.

Duke Scholars

Author Danny J Schust Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology & Infe ...