title: Raloxifene prevents the growth of uterine leiomyomas in premenopausal women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of raloxifene administration on uterine leiomyoma size in premenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized, open-label, controlled clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary care unit, University of Vienna, Austria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five premenopausal women with uterine leiomyomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three months of treatment with raloxifene (180 mg/d) or no treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline to end point percent change difference in leiomyoma volume between the therapy and control groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Raloxifene treatment prevented the progression of uterine leiomyomas. Compared with no medical intervention, raloxifene resulted in a decrease of myoma volume. Raloxifene was clinically well tolerated. No significant differences were detected in symptoms related to leiomyomas and hormonal status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In premenopausal women, high-dose raloxifene is well tolerated and inhibits the growth of leiomyomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. stefan.jirecek@akh-wien.ac.at
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jirecek
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Imre
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pavo
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Crans
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Eppel
authors.forename: Rene
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wenzl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D017697:Premenopause; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D013739:Testosterone; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride; D004958:Estradiol; D011388:Prolactin; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine