Ulipristal Is a Viable Choice for Managing Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids

Many women with uterine leiomyomas experience abnormal uterine bleeding and impaired quality of life. Ulipristal acetate, a selective progesterone receptor modulator approved by the FDA for emergency contraception, is effective for managing symptomatic uterine fibroids; however, studies have primarily enrolled white European women (NEJM Journal Watch Womens Health Feb 2012 and N Engl J Med 2012; 366:409 and 421), although such fibroids are more common in black women. Now, investigators have conducted an industry-sponsored trial in which 157 premenopausal U.S. women (69% black, 29% white, 2% other; mean age, 41; mean body-mass index, 32 kg/m²) with symptomatic fibroids were randomized to once-daily oral 5-mg or 10-mg ulipristal or placebo fo…