Fibroid Changes
Users on Reddit report a variety of experiences regarding fibroid changes while taking GLP-1 medications, with some experiencing positive changes like shrinkage or expulsion, while others see no change or even growth. Symptomatic relief, particularly from bloating and inflammation, is also reported.
Experiences with Fibroid Changes:
Another user on Mounjaro with one fibroid stated, "My fibroid has shrunk significantly and is no longer causing heavy bleeding/pain," but noted their OB believed it was likely due to Nexplanon, not the Mounjaro. [2]
A user shared an article suggesting GLP-1 agonists might reduce fibroid size. [3]
Another user on Ozempic for three weeks stated, "I appreciate this thread because Im on week 3 of Ozempic and have been passing small and large fibroids intermittently since the day after my first shot! "[6]
A different user mentioned, "I've been on ozempic and the fibroids grew minimally. " They were uncertain if Ozempic caused the growth, also considering stress as a factor. [10]
One user on compounded semaglutide for 6 months, whose uterus was previously "3 month pregnancy sized from several large fibroids," reported, "now I’m back to a relatively flat stomach and can do child’s pose without feeling painful pressure from my fibroids. "[13]
A user with two large fibroids on semaglutide for a few months stated, "it definitely has gotten rid of inflamation and excess weight. "[14]
The user who passed fibroids on Ozempic also noted, "the pain has not been bad at all. "[6]
Experiences from users with related conditions like adenomyosis and endometriosis also suggest GLP-1s can reduce inflammation and heavy bleeding. One user with adenomyosis on Mounjaro found her "cycles became regular again, less heavy periods, hormones stabilized. "[15] Another with adenomyosis on a GLP-1 for three months noticed "normal period bleeding, no flooding and not even heavy. "[16]
Stopping GLP-1s Before Surgery:
Conversely, another user mentioned needing to be off Ozempic for a month before surgery and suspected "it must increase bleeding? "[10]
Remedies or Preventions Recommended:
Dietary Factors: One user whose fibroid shrank on Ozempic hypothesized, "I not only eat less now but I don’t eat carbs or sweets so I’m guessing that’s the main way that my fibroid shrunk since they feed off of sugar. "[17]
Awareness of Estrogen Release: Two users discussed the possibility that significant weight loss could release stored estrogen from fat cells, potentially contributing to fibroid growth. [8, 9]
Alternative Treatments: One user mentioned MRI guided HIFU as a "noninvasive procedure done with an MRI machine" for fibroids, though noted insurance may not cover it.
Experiences with Fibroid Changes:
- Fibroid Shrinkage:
- One user reported, "After taking Ozempic for nearly 2 months my fibroid went from being 5.
- Fibroid Expulsion:
- A user on semaglutide for about 5 months reported a significant event: "about 2 weeks into my cycle when nothing should be happening all of the sudden out came about 8 large fibroids over the series of a few hours.
- Fibroid Growth:
- One user shared, "my fibroid has not shrunk, it actually grew 1 cm.
- No Change in Fibroid Size:
- A user on Mounjaro for over a year reported, "It didn’t change anything about my fibroid growth, but did help with general inflammation.
- Symptomatic Relief:
- A user with fibroids who started Semaglutide (Ozempic) said it "has done wonders for my constant feeling of always being bloated / inflamed.
Stopping GLP-1s Before Surgery:
- One user stated they had to come off Mounjaro for a few weeks before an open myomectomy because it "causes delayed gastric emptying which can cause anesthesia complications (aspiration risks); there’s no bleeding risks.
Remedies or Preventions Recommended:
- Discussing Off-Label Use with Doctor: The user who expelled fibroids on semaglutide recommended, "talking to your doctor about the off label use of this drug for fibroids, I may have spent hundreds for the medication but I saved thousands on surgery.