Key message

Uterine fibroids are made of a type of muscle cells and connective tissue that grow on the wall of the uterus. About eight out of ten women have uterine fibroids, and about a third of these get troublesome symptoms.  

We found one randomized study and a health technology assessment on the effect of combination therapy with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist and two Cochrane reviews on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and progestogen, respectively.

We found that:

• Combination therapy with gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist may lead to less menstrual bleeding and pain in more women than placebo
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may reduce menstrual bleeding compared to placebo
• We are uncertain or did not find research on the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on adverse events, need for further treatment, sexual function, pregnancy, childbirth, onset of menopause and malignany
• We do not know the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-receptor antagonist and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) compared with breakdown of fibroids, myomectomy and hysterectomy
• We do not know the effect of progestagen compared to placebo or other measures