Selective progesterone receptor modulator as an alternative for long-term therapy of uterine fibroids in women of reproductive age

Abstract

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign uterine tumors in women of reproductive age. They are the most frequent cause of profuse uterine hemorrhage, which significantly decreases the quality of life of women of reproductive age [1, 2]. In 20 to 30 % of cases, fibroids are an etiological factor of infertility and in 15 to 30 % of cases – the cause of miscarriage. The highest incidence of uterine fibroids – over 50 % – is observed in the premenopausal period [3, 4].At present, women’s reproductive health is a topical issue of obstetrics and gynecology, therefore, great importance is attributed to timely diagnosis and prevention of diseases that influence fertility [5, 6, 7].In recent years, various medicines have been suggested for the treatment of uterine fibroids, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, tranexamic acid, progestogens (intrauterine devices that release levonorgestrel), gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists, progesterone receptor modulators, including mifepristone. The use of modern conservative methods of treatment of uterine fibroids enables a decreased incidence of complications, the preservation of uterus and of women’s reproductive function, an improved efficiency of treatment and quality of patients’ life [8, 9, 10].