When Lupron Stops Working and You Need a Better Solution

Published On: October 13, 2025

Lupron is a medication for hormone-driven conditions like uterine fibroids. But what happens when Lupron stops working? Read on to learn more about your other options.

For many women living with fibroids, medications like Lupron are prescribed to bring temporary relief. Lupron works by lowering estrogen levels, which can shrink fibroids and improve symptoms like heavy bleeding and pelvic pain.

But here’s the challenge: Lupron isn’t a long-term fix. Once you stop taking it, fibroids often return, and some women experience side effects that make it hard to stay on the medication.

So what happens when Lupron no longer works or you’re ready for a more lasting solution? It may be time to consider uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) at Image Guided Surgery Center in Clinton, Maryland.

Below, Dr. Nordine Gaugau discusses how UFE can be a better solution if Lupron stops working.

How does Lupron work?

Lupron (leuprolide acetate) is a prescription medication known as a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. It first stimulates, then suppresses, the release of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone from your pituitary gland.

Since these hormones control your body’s production of estrogen, Lupron ultimately lowers estrogen levels. It works by temporarily putting your ovaries into a menopause-like state.

Because estrogen fuels fibroid growth, reducing estrogen can shrink fibroids and temporarily relieve symptoms like heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, and pain.

The problem with Lupron

Lupron isn’t a long-term solution for two reasons:

It’s meant to be short-term

Lupron is designed for short-term use. Treatment is limited to three months; after that, its benefits often plateau. That means your symptoms may return and become difficult to manage.

There are side effects to consider

While Lupron may help alleviate your fibroid symptoms, it may trigger a new set of problems. Women who take Lupron for fibroids may experience hot flashes, bone density loss, mood changes, and even depression.

When it’s time to consider another solution

If you’ve been on Lupron and still deal with fibroid symptoms — or if you’re tired of the side effects — it may be time to talk with Dr. Gaugau about UFE.

Many women find that UFE offers lasting relief and restores their quality of life without the need for surgery such as a hysterectomy.

Why UFE may be a better choice for you

UFE is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that targets your fibroids directly by blocking the blood supply that helps them grow. Without enough blood, the fibroids shrink over time, and as they shrink, your symptoms improve significantly.

Unlike Lupron, UFE doesn’t just manage fibroids temporarily; it addresses the root cause. UFE doesn’t mask your symptoms for a few months. Instead, it targets your fibroids so your fibroid symptoms dissipate for good.

Other benefits of UFE include:

●  No major surgery or long hospital stay

●  Short recovery time; most women return to their usual activities in about a week

●  Relief from heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, and pain

●  No drug interactions (unlike Lupron)

●  Preservation of your uterus

UFE is particularly beneficial for women who’d like to become pregnant in the future since it doesn’t require uterus removal.

Let’s talk about UFE

Living with fibroids doesn’t have to mean putting up with constant symptoms or cycling through medications that only work for a little while. At Image Guided Surgery Center, Dr. Gaugau and our team specialize in UFE and have helped countless women find freedom from fibroids.

If you’re ready for a better, longer-term solution, schedule a consultation today to see if UFE is right for you. You can also reach us at 240-244-2302.

References:

●  The 10 Potentially Serious Lupron Depot Side Effects – GoodRx

●  LUPRON DEPOT (leuprolide acetate for depot suspension)

●  Side effects of Lupron Depot: Mild, serious, and long-term

●  Pregnancy success and outcomes after uterine fibroid embolization: updated review of published literature – PMC