Fibroid Surgery Options

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that form in the lining of the uterus. Smaller ones do not cause any symptoms but if they grow larger, they can cause symptoms like pain, heavier and longer periods, and frequent urination. Surgical options are available but women may also want to consider less-invasive options.

Discuss Options

• Discuss treatment options with a doctor. If a woman's fibroids are not causing any symptoms, watchful waiting is usually recommended, and surgery or any other treatment is not necessary. If they are causing complications, a woman's doctor will evaluate various factors such as her age and severity of symptoms to determine the best course of action. Besides surgical removal, medications and non-surgical procedures are available as well. Like any surgery, removing fibroids can present risks and surgical procedures are usually used as a last resort or when the condition is severe. Depending on the circumstances, surgery may or may not be the best choice.

Surgical Options

• There are many things a woman must consider if she decides to have surgery to remove her fibroids. The only way to completely get rid of fibroids is by having a hysterectomy, which involves removing the whole uterus. This ends any chance of conceiving children. If the ovaries are removed as well, the woman will begin menopause regardless of her age. She will also need to decide if she will take hormone replacement therapies. If she is an older woman who is no longer of child-bearing age and/ or is approaching menopause anyway, this might be a good option. If she is younger and still wants to have children, this might not be a desirable choice.

  A myomectomy involves surgical removal of the fibroids. The uterus is left intact. This is a good option for women who want to have children. This procedure, however, cannot guarantee the fibroids will not return. The type of myomectomy a woman has will depend on the size, number and location of the fibroids. An abdominal myomectomy is necessary if fibroids are numerous, large or deep; the surgeon will make an incision in the abdomen. A laparoscopic myomectomy is best if a woman's fibroids are small and few. The surgeon will insert small instruments into an incision in the abdomen and remove them using a small camera as a guide. A hysteroscopic myomectomy removes fibroids that are inside the uterus. A hysteroscope is inserted into the vagina and goes through the cervix into the uterus, where it removes the fibroids. For optimal success, choose a doctor who has experience performing this type of myomectomy.