Anticoagulant Therapy in Uterine Fibroids

Introduction to Anticoagulant Therapy

Anticoagulant therapy can worsen uterine fibroid symptoms primarily by increasing menstrual bleeding and causing fibroid growth due to hemorrhage within the fibroids themselves, as noted by the American Family Physician 1

For women requiring both fibroid treatment and anticoagulation, careful consideration of the duration of anticoagulation is essential, according to the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis 2
In cases of provoked DVT, anticoagulation for 3 months may be sufficient, potentially minimizing the period of worsened fibroid symptoms, as recommended by the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis 2, 3
Uterine artery embolization (UAE) may be considered as it can achieve significant reduction in fibroid size and potentially reduce bleeding complications 4

For women with hormone-associated VTE and fibroids, discontinuation of hormonal therapy before stopping anticoagulation is recommended, as suggested by the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis and Praxis Medical Insights 2, 5