Patient's question:
Currently, the general situation is: My mother had been experiencing prolonged menstruation for a while and was diagnosed with uterine fibroids at the hospital, which were already quite large. The doctor first prescribed some hemostatic medication, and after taking it, her menstruation stopped. She said to wait until her next visit to return to the hospital for a follow-up. However, it has been almost two and a half months now, and my mother's menstruation has still not returned. Now she feels a constant urge to urinate and frequent urination, and she feels like she can't empty her bladder completely. So, I want to ask what could be the reason for this? Is it serious? Is it related to my mother's condition?Medical history and treatment outcomes: Last year, my mother underwent surgery to remove a breast tumor.
Doctor's answer:
(1) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH-a) are currently commonly used in clinical practice. Common GnRH-a drugs include leuprolide, goserelin, and triptorelin. GnRH-a is not suitable for long-term continuous use and is generally used only for preoperative pretreatment, typically for 3 to 6 months, to avoid severe menopausal symptoms caused by low estrogen levels. It can also be supplemented with a small dose of estrogen to counteract this side effect.(2) Mifepristone is a progesterone antagonist that has been clinically used in recent years to treat uterine fibroids. It can reduce the size of fibroids, but they often grow back after discontinuation of the medication.
(3) Danazol is used for preoperative medication or to treat uterine fibroids that are not suitable for surgery. Fibroids may grow back after discontinuation of danazol. Taking danazol can cause liver damage and may also lead to androgen-induced side effects (e.g., weight gain, acne, and hoarse voice).
(4) Tamoxifen (tamoxifen) can inhibit fibroid growth. However, long-term use in some patients may lead to an increase in fibroid size, or even induce endometriosis and endometrial cancer. This should be noted.
(5) Androgen drugs Commonly used drugs include testosterone (methyltestosterone) and testosterone propionate. They can inhibit fibroid growth. Dosing should be carefully monitored to avoid masculinization.