Abstract
Objective: Many fibroids regress with pregnancy or postpartum involution. We sought to identify factors that might inhibit or enhance this natural regression. Study Design: We used a prospective cohort of women with fibroids (n = 494) determined by ultrasound screening during the early first trimester identified from the Right from the Start study. Ultrasounds were repeated 3-6 months postpartum (n = 279). Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with fibroid regression (>50% reduction in volume). Results: Postpartum progestin users had significantly less fibroid regression (P = .01), whereas there was no association for combined estrogen-progestin use. Cesarean delivery and fever (hypothesized to inhibit regression) and breast feeding (hypothesized to enhance regression) were not associated with fibroid regression. Conclusion: Progestin use in the postpartum period may limit regression of fibroids, consistent with prior literature on progesterone's role in fibroid development. Research into progestin-only treatments in critical reproductive periods is needed.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 496.e1-496.e6 |
Journal | American journal of obstetrics and gynecology |
Volume | 204 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2011 |
Keywords
- breastfeeding
- leiomyoma
- pregnancy
- progesterone
- ultrasound
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Obstetrics and Gynecology