Let’s face it — a uterine fibroid diagnosis can be a tough pill to swallow. After all, fibroids can impact everything from your sex life to your daily comfort, menstrual patterns, and more. So, it’s natural to wonder if there are any quick fixes out there.
And if that’s how you feel, you’re certainly not alone. In fact, many women turn to a common pill to help manage their symptoms: the birth control pill.
But, can they really help? And to what degree? We’ve got answers and more for you below:
How Can Birth Control Help My Symptoms?
Patients living with uterine fibroids can most benefit from birth control use if they are experiencing heightened pain and menstrual bleeding as a result of their fibroids.
“Birth control pills contain either a combination of the hormones estrogen and progestin (combination pill), or only progestin (mini pill),” research indicates. “Both kinds can reduce the flow of menstrual blood, making them an option for women whose main symptom is heavy periods.”
Birth control may also help to reduce the severity of cramping in some women, as they reduce the body’s level of “prostaglandins”, the chemicals that cause uterine contractions.
Will Birth Control Shrink My Fibroids?
If you are looking at birth control pills as a potential treatment option for their hormonal properties, we recommend you opt for a low-dose option, as these pills “do not make fibroids grow,” according to the Office on Women’s Health.
Moreover, if you have uterine fibroids, it is essential that you discuss the levels of estrogen in your chosen birth control method. This is because fibroids are reportedly considered estrogen-dependent, meaning that there is a chance that added estrogen may make some fibroids grow larger.
That all being said, birth control pills cannot make fibroids shrink.
Do I Have Other Options?
While birth control pills present an option in terms of uterine fibroid management, at the end of the day, they will only provide temporary relief. Any prior symptoms a woman experienced will return once she is no longer on birth control.
Uterine fibroid embolization, however, offers lasting relief.
“Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) (also called uterine artery embolization) stops the blood supply to the fibroid,” Harvard Health explains. “The fibroid then shrinks and may break down.”
What’s more, UFE is:
- Minimally invasive
- FDA-approved
- Completed in one outpatient setting
- And more
So, if you’re ready to learn more about how UFE can stop uterine fibroids from cramping your style, it’s time to reach out to Duval Vascular & Fibroid Center! We offer empowerment, education, and expertise all in one place.
Call us today at 904-423-6017 today to get started!
