Table 1 Medical therapies for uterine leiomyomas
From: GnRH analogs for the treatment of symptomatic uterine leiomyomas
Treatment | Efficacy | Side effects | Main administration route | Duration of therapy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Progestins | No | Possible increase in tumor size | Oral | Long-term | Low |
Oral contraceptives | Poor | Possible increase in tumor size | Oral | Long-term | Low |
Danazol | Good | Weight gain, mild hyperandrogenism | Oral | Long-term | Not expensive |
Gestrinone | Good | Weight gain, mild hyperandrogenism | Oral | Long-term | Low |
Mifepristone | Good | Mild hot flashes | Oral | Long-term | Low |
GnRH agonists | Very good | Climacteric-like symptoms, metabolic syndrome, bone loss | Intramuscular | Short-term | Very expensive |
GnRH agonist plus add-back therapy | Very good | Very long-term data unknown | Intramuscular and oral | Long-term | Very expensive |
GnRH antagonists | Unknown | Unknown | Intramuscular | Shot-term | Very expensive |
Raloxifene | No | Leg cramps | Oral | No data | Expensive |