Miomatherapy with ulipristal acetate – Important information

The fibroids, or benign tumors of the uterine muscle, can cause problems for many women. Fibroids can vary in size and location, and while they are asymptomatic in many cases, they can also lead to severe complaints in others. The need for treatment arises when these tumors cause pain, bleeding, or other complications.

Treatment options for fibroids

The treatment for fibroids begins immediately after diagnosis if they cause complaints. The treatment options encompass a wide spectrum, and several factors must be considered in the decision-making process. Doctors often recommend medication, which can include various active ingredients. These include progestins, GnRH antagonists, and GnRH analogs, all of which reduce the body’s estrogen production, thus mitigating the growth of fibroids.

Another popular method is the surgical removal of fibroids, known as myomectomy. This intervention is particularly recommended when the size or location of the fibroids renders other forms of treatment ineffective. Newer technologies, such as focused ultrasound treatment, also offer minimally invasive options for treating fibroids, reducing recovery time.

It is important to note that female healthcare professionals are continuously searching for new, more effective methods to treat fibroids to improve patients’ quality of life and reduce complaints.

Ulipristal acetate and its mechanism of action

Ulipristal acetate is an innovative medication that works as a selective progesterone receptor modulator. This active ingredient targets progesterone receptors located on the surface of fibroid cells, altering their binding sites. As a result, the activity of the progesterone hormone can be significantly reduced, making the signals that stimulate fibroid growth unavailable.

This therapy is often used before surgical intervention to reduce the size of the fibroid, thereby facilitating the subsequent operation and alleviating complaints. Ulipristal acetate can also be applied in long-term interval therapy, during which the medication is taken in 12-week cycles, with breaks to maintain effectiveness. With this method, surgical intervention can often be avoided.

The benefits of the therapy include a significant reduction in the size of the fibroid and the complaints it causes, thus improving women’s quality of life. However, it is important to emphasize that concerns have been raised regarding the potential liver-damaging effects of ulipristal acetate.

Risks and precautions associated with the use of the medication

Although ulipristal acetate has many advantages, caution must be exercised regarding its use. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) warns that the use of the medication can cause severe liver damage, which is why patients must be under continuous medical supervision. It is particularly important that women taking ulipristal acetate consult their healthcare provider at least once a month and regularly undergo liver function tests.

Doctors recommend monitoring liver function even after discontinuing the medication, as its effects may persist for a while. If patients notice any warning symptoms, such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or yellowing of the skin and eyes, they should seek medical attention immediately.

It is important to know that ulipristal acetate can no longer be prescribed for the treatment of fibroids for new patients. Therefore, those who have not taken this active ingredient should consider other treatment options. However, no similar signs of liver damage have been reported with emergency contraceptive pills containing ulipristal acetate, making them safe for use.

The treatment of fibroids is thus a complex and multifaceted task that requires appropriate medical supervision and active participation from patients in decision-making.