Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths in the uterus that affect most women at some point, though not all cause symptoms. Traditional treatment has ranged from watchful waiting to hysterectomy, with newer options including medication and procedures that preserve the uterus. Research now focuses on pills that shrink fibroids and on less invasive ways to destroy them.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing oral GnRH antagonists like relugolix that can shrink fibroids without surgery, targeted ultrasound and radiofrequency ablation techniques, and new ways to block blood supply to fibroids. Studies also examine whether certain fibroids are more likely to respond to medication, and how to manage heavy bleeding and pain without removing the uterus.
GnRH antagonists
Pills like relugolix reduce estrogen temporarily to shrink fibroids. The FDA approved relugolix in 2021, and trials now test longer treatment courses and combinations that minimize bone loss.
Ablation techniques
Focused ultrasound and radiofrequency methods destroy fibroids without cutting. Trials compare these approaches to surgery and test whether they work for larger or multiple fibroids.
Selective progesterone modulators
Drugs that block progesterone receptors can shrink fibroids. Several are approved outside the U.S., and trials test whether they offer benefits over GnRH antagonists.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on fibroid size and location, symptom severity, whether you want to preserve fertility, and prior treatments you've tried.
What types of trials are currently open
- Medication trials — Testing oral drugs that shrink fibroids or reduce bleeding, often comparing new pills to existing hormone treatments or placebo.
- Ablation trials — Studies of focused ultrasound or radiofrequency procedures that destroy fibroids through the skin or during minimally invasive surgery.
- Embolization trials — Testing refinements to uterine artery embolization, which blocks blood flow to fibroids, and comparing it to other uterus-preserving options.
- Combination treatment trials — Testing whether pairing medication with a procedure improves outcomes or reduces the need for repeat treatment.
- Long-term follow-up studies — Tracking women after fibroid treatment to see how often fibroids return and how symptoms change over years.
Recently added Uterine Fibroids trials
Try a special diet and receive deeper muscle relaxation during vaginal hysterectomy
vNOTES (vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery) hysterectomy is performed entirely through the vagina, with no abdominal incision. A clear surgical view is essential, and the main obstacle to the view is bowel falling into the pelvis. This randomized trial tests whether two simple measures improve the surgical field, individually or in combination: a preoperative low-residue diet for three days, and deeper intra-operative muscle relaxation (deep neuromuscular blockade). No group receives mechanical bowel preparation. Using a 2×2 factorial design, participants are allocated equally (1:1:1:1) to one of four groups: (1) no diet with standard relaxation; (2) diet with standard relaxation; (3) no diet with deep relaxation; (4) diet with deep relaxation (the "bundle"). The surgical field is measured objectively: during a standardized window the carbon-dioxide insufflation pressure is lowered step by step, and 2-3 blinded assessors score the field from de-identified video. The primary outcome is the lowest pressure at which the field remains adequate; a lower pressure indicates an intrinsically better field. The trial hypothesis is an interaction - that the combination achieves an adequate field at a meaningfully lower pressure than either measure alone. The final sample size is determined from an internal pilot. Secondary outcomes include the continuous field score, the need for an additional instrument to clear the field, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and routine operative outcomes.
Take green tea and vitamin D supplements after fibroid removal
The aim of this randomized controlled clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of green tea (EGCG) and vitamin D3 supplementation in preventing uterine fibroid recurrence following fibroid removal.
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