High doses of a drug commonly used to treat osteoporosis may help stop the growth of uterine fibroids and offer a new alternative treatment for premenopausal women with the condition. The study, published in the January issue of the journal Fertility and Sterility, tested the safety and effectiveness of a high dose of Evista (180 milligrams per day) vs. no treatment in 25 premenopausal women. After three months of treatment researchers found that treatment with Evista stopped the growth of uterine fibroids. Compared with no medical treatment, women who took Evista experienced a decrease in fibroid size of about 22%. The drug was well tolerated and no significant side effects were reported.
