HomeAnswersInfertilityfibroid uterusDo fibroids continue to shrink after six months of UFE?

Will I still pass fibroid tissue after six months of UFE?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Sneha Kannan

Published At August 21, 2020
Reviewed AtJanuary 17, 2024

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am an anxious lady. I am 50 years old. I am in a stage of perimenopause. I have a severe phobia of menstrual blood loss. A year back, I had UFE for an intramural fibroid. Previously of doing this procedure, I took Norethisterone on long term due to anxiety of blood loss. I had slight bleeding constantly. After doing UFE, I did not have periods for nine weeks. Then they started again slightly and got increased to an acceptable level. Three months back, I got pain around my fibroid area on the third day of my periods. I had bleeding on and off for 24 hours. I think that I expelled some fibroid pieces. It was grey and rubbery. I consulted a doctor and told her about this unexpected bleeding. Again, I was advised to take Norethisterone to reduce my bleeding. I took it for ten days. I had a heavy flow once and then it got stopped after five days. Now, I have completed my second course. I have a lovely family and friends to support me. I am worried about my fear of having heavy bleeding. I think that I have harmed myself and caused my womb lining to become thick. So I have pain and bleeding. Now it has been six months of post UFE. Will fibroid pass at this stage? Do fibroids continue to shrink after six months? Will UFE help me? Will Norethisterone make my bleeding light?

Answered by Dr. Balakrishnan R

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

First of all, you are absolutely healthy and leading a healthy life. You are 50 years old and reaching menopause in a few years. Estrogen hormones from ovaries make fibroids grow. Once it gets stopped, there is an absence of periods and fibroids. This sense of negativism is one of the side effects of estrogen hormones. Norethisterone is a progestogen hormone released in the body every month during the second half of the period. It increases the thickness of the uterine lining and stops bleeding.

When you think back, you can remember your feeling of bloating experienced before having periods. So this hormone makes you feel bad. After taking medications for a long term and stopping it makes the thickened endometrial lining to fall out as fleshy mass along with lots of white thick discharge. This symptom is a side effect of hormones and it is not due to fibroids. UFE (uterine fibroid embolization) is a process where the blood flow to the fibroid is blocked. So fibroids get shrunk without nutrition. They shrink like a leaf and stay in the lining of the uterus. Pain can occur due to shrinking of fibroids. I suggest you take some painkillers for some time. You will become fine soon.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

I understand UFE procedure better now. I have some relief. Do I need to take Norethisterone again? Can I have heavy periods? I took it 5 to 22 days. I am concerned about my heavy bleeding as I get a heavy fleshy mass. I am scared about my heavy bleeding and I want to avoid having it. I believed that Norethisterone help to keep my lining thin and it will help me to have less bleeding. Can I have withdrawal bleeding after taking it? Can it be light?

Answered by Dr. Balakrishnan R

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Norethisterone is a progestogen. It is the hormone that is released in the second half of periods and during pregnancy when the inner lining of the uterus becomes thick. You will have thick dark clots in withdrawal bleeding. From your history, I can understand that you want to avoid having bleeding completely. You will some bleeding till 50 to 52 years. You can take tablet Ormeloxifene 60 mg twice weekly (Centchromen). This reduces intrauterine thickness without any side effects. You can take it for five to seven years under the guidance of your doctor. Your periods will stop soon naturally. Another option is Mirena. It is effective for five years. You can take Leuprolide 3.75 mg injection monthly once for five to six months. It reduces uterine lining and periods will not trouble you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Balakrishnan R
Dr. Balakrishnan R

Obstetrics and Gynecology

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