Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a treatment that is often used to help relieve the uncomfortable symptoms associated with menopause. As women age, their bodies stop producing enough estrogen and progesterone, which is what triggers symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, etc.
Some women may be concerned about the effects of HRT and uterine fibroids after menopause because excess estrogen is known to promote fibroid growth. Today we are going to talk about HRT and fibroids and what to consider if you are looking at HRT as a treatment option.
A Bit About Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are benign growths that form in and on a woman’s uterus. The underlying cause of fibroids is still unknown, but researchers have identified certain conditions that can make someone more likely to experience them.
Conditions that can elevate your risk for fibroids include genetics, family history, obesity, race, starting your period at a younger age, eating a lot of red meat, and being deficient in vitamin D.
One thing that researchers have discovered is that fibroids grow larger when exposed to estrogen. Unfortunately, we are exposed to large amounts of excess estrogen every day and may not even be aware of it. Many foods and household products contain ingredients that mimic the effects of estrogen in our bodies and can cause existing fibroids to grow larger. Some women learn they have fibroids when they become pregnant because during the first several months of pregnancy, estrogen levels significantly increase, causing the fibroids to grow enough that they are detected by the OB/GYN during a routine checkup or they begin causing symptoms.
Can HRT Cause Fibroids?
You may be concerned about the effects of HRT and uterine fibroids after menopause because hormone replacement therapy often includes treatments that are heavy with estrogen.
HRT therapy is not known to directly cause fibroids, but therapies that contain estrogen can trigger the growth of existing fibroids. Normally, during menopause, fibroids begin to shrink and their symptoms dissipate, but women who take estrogen-only HRT may experience fibroid growth or their symptoms may become worse.
What Is The Best HRT For Fibroids?
If you have a history of fibroids, it is important for you to discuss HRT treatments with your doctor in detail. Usually, the best HRT for women with fibroids includes progesterone and not just estrogen alone. Adding progesterone can help balance out the hormones, and the combination of these two can often help the existing fibroids to grow bigger.
After menopause, existing fibroids normally begin to shrink because the body reduces the amount of estrogen it produces. When HRT is recommended for women with uterine fibroids after menopause to help manage their symptoms, they are normally not prescribed HRT that is estrogen-heavy but normally given a combination of low-dose estrogen along with progesterone. This can often help alleviate the discomfort of the menopause symptoms while managing the risk of fibroid regrowth.
HRT And Fibroid FAQs
Can HRT Make Fibroid Bleeding Worse?
Yes, it can. One of the most common symptoms of fibroids is heavy or irregular menstrual bleeding, and HRT which contains estrogen can make this worse. If you are on HRT and are experiencing heavy bleeding, it is important to talk with your doctor so they can adjust your treatment or look for alternative treatments.
What Are Possible Hormone Treatments with Fibroids Side Effects?
Hormone treatments like HRT can create side effects, especially for women with fibroids. Sometimes it can be due to the hormones themselves, and other times it can be the effect the hormones are having on the fibroids. Some of these side effects include:
- Fibroids growing larger in size;
- Heavy menstrual bleeding or starting to bleed again after menopause;
- Bloating or discomfort;
- Mood changes;
- Breast tenderness;
- Headaches.
Do Fibroids Get Worse with HRT?
Yes, fibroids can get worse due to HRT, especially when estrogen levels are not balanced with progesterone. They may see their fibroids get larger or become more symptomatic, but balanced HRT treatments can help to minimize these risks.
What Hormone Therapy Shrinks Fibroids?
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are often used to help reduce the symptoms caused by fibroids. They work by temporarily inhibiting the ovaries from producing estrogen and sending the body into an induced menopause state. They cannot be used long-term because they have serious side effects, such as bone loss, that cannot be reversed. Unfortunately, as soon as you discontinue their use, the fibroids begin growing again and the symptoms return.
Should You Take Progesterone if You Have Fibroids?
Yes, if you are on HRT and have fibroids, the doctor will most likely include progesterone in your treatment to counteract the side effects of the estrogen, causing the fibroids to grow larger and their symptoms to become worse.
Should I Stop Taking HRT if I Have Fibroids?
This will depend on the specific plan you and your doctor decide on for your treatment. Your HRT does not need to stop just because you have fibroids, but If your fibroids are causing significant symptoms, your doctor may adjust your HRT plan to balance estrogen with progesterone, or they may recommend discontinuing the HRT.
Are Fibroids due to High Estrogen?
Fibroids do not necessarily come from excess estrogen exposure, but it does make conditions favorable for existing fibroids to grow larger. There is no single known cause of fibroids, but having too much estrogen can put you at a higher risk for developing fibroids.
What Is The Best Way To Get Rid Of Fibroid Symptoms?
HRT is usually prescribed for women who have had a hysterectomy, and the removal of their uterus puts them into premature menopause, requiring HRT to alleviate the symptoms they begin to experience. Many women undergo a hysterectomy because they have numerous or large fibroids.
Sometimes, women use gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists to alleviate the symptoms of fibroids but then require HRT treatments to combat the symptoms of the induced menopause caused by the GnRH.
The best way to eliminate the symptoms of fibroids is to get rid of the fibroids. Most women are told the only way they can do this is through either myomectomy or hysterectomy surgery. Neither is a good choice for many reasons, and the other options offered merely treat the symptoms but do not take care of the root problem, which is the fibroids.
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) can get rid of fibroids permanently and eliminate the symptoms they cause without surgery or the side effects of GnRH treatments. This procedure does not involve surgery, and your uterus stays intact and uncompromised. The risk profile of UFE is much less than either type of fibroid surgery or other forms of treatment.
Sometimes, HRT is the best form of treatment for a woman’s condition; however, if she has fibroids, it may be beneficial to eliminate the fibroids before proceeding with HRT therapy. Working closely with a fibroid specialist can help you determine what treatment would work best for you.
Where Can I Find A Fibroid Specialist?
The Atlanta Fibroid Center has been helping women for over 25 years to become fibroid-free. UFE is safe and effective when performed by doctors who are specially trained and have extensive experience. Expert interventional radiologists at the center, such as Dr. John Lipman, are highly proficient in performing the UFE procedure.
If you have fibroids and have been told you need surgery like a hysterectomy, or you have existing fibroids and are considering HRT, set up a consultation with one of these knowledgeable doctors today. During your consultation, they can review an MRI and see where the fibroids are located, how big they are, and how many there are, and provide all the information you need to make the informed decision that is best for you and your circumstances.
The Atlanta Fibroid Center is a premier treatment center and has the best, most qualified doctors. In fact, women from all over the United States and other countries travel long distances just to work with these experts. Set up your consultation today.
