Inclusion Criteria

- GENERAL INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Women receiving insulin or thyroid hormone replacement may participate if well-controlled;
use of vitamins and calcium under RDA is allowed.

Female gender-to evaluate effects in the target population for clinical trials.

In good health. Chronic medication use is acceptable except for glucocorticoid use. Other
chronic medication use may be acceptable at the discretion of the research team. Interval
use of over-the counter drugs is acceptable but must be recorded.

Menstrual cycles of 24 - 35 days.

Hemoglobin greater than 10 g/dL.

Willing and able to comply with study requirements.

Age 33 to 50.

Using mechanical (condoms, diaphragms), sterilization or abstinence methods of
contraception for the duration of the study.

Negative urine pregnancy test.

BMI less than or equal to 33.

Able to read and speak English fluently to allow accurate self-administration of
medication, recording of symptoms and unassisted completion of questionnaire.

Normal glomerular filtration rate.

Liver function tests within 130% of upper limit.

INCLUSION CRITERIA FOR WOMEN WITH LEIOMYOMA:

History of uterine leiomyoma causing symptoms of bleeding, pressure, or pain, as defined
by the ACOG practice bulletin (ACOG Practice Bulletin 1994):

Excessive uterine bleeding will be evidenced by either of the following-profuse bleeding
with flooding or clots or repetitive periods lasting for more than 8 days; or anemia due
to acute or chronic blood loss; OR

Pelvic discomfort caused by leiomyomata, either acute and severe or chronic lower
abdominal or low back pressure or bladder pressure with urinary frequency not due to
urinary tract infection.

Uterine leiomyoma(ta) of at least 2 cm size.

No desire for fertility; willing to undergo hysterectomy.

GENERAL EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Significant abnormalities in the history, physical or laboratory examination.

Pregnancy.

Lactation.

Use of oral, injectable or inhaled glucocorticoids or megesterol within the last year.

Unexplained vaginal bleeding.

History of malignancy within the past 5 years.

Use of estrogen or progesterone-containing compounds, such as oral contraceptives and
hormone replacement therapy, within 8 weeks of study entry, including transdermal,
injectable, vaginal and oral preparations.

Use of agents known to induct hepatic P450 enzymes; use of imidazoles.

Current use of GnRH analogs or other compounds that affect menstrual cyclicity.

FSH greater than 20 IU/mL.

Significant medical disorders.

Cervical dysplasia.

Need for interval use of narcotics.

Abnormal adnexal/ovarian mass.

Intrauterine device.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA FOR WOMEN WITH FIBROIDS:

Use of herbal medication having estrogenic or antiestrogenic effects within the past 3
months.

Contradiction to anesthesia

Genetic causes of leiomyomata.

Previous participation in the study.

Known recent rapid growth of fibroids, defined as a doubling in size in six months.