Fibroid Recovery

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in the uterus. They are the most common type of pelvic growth in women. Several treatment options are available.

Symptoms

• While uterine fibroids often cause no symptoms, in some women they can trigger heavy, prolonged menstrual periods, pelvic pressure and urinary problems, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Myomectomy

• Surgery that removes only the fibroids, called a myomectomy, is one treatment option. Recovery from a myomecotmy depends on whether the surgery was performed abdominally, which requires four to six weeks, or laparoscopically, which requires only two weeks.

Endometrial Ablation

• Endometrial ablation involves the removal of the lining of the uterus along with the fibroids. Most women return to normal activities within two days of undergoing this procedure.

Hysterectomy

• A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. It requires six to eight weeks of recovery time for an abdominal procedure and two weeks for a vaginal procedure.

Considerations

• While having uterine fibroids does not interfere with your ability to conceive, such procedures as endometrial ablation or a hysterectomy will result in infertility, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Unless your fibroids are causing severe symptoms, most doctors prefer to monitor them and delay treatment.