Uterine Fibroid Treatment Options

Uterine fibroids occur most often during the childbearing years. These noncancerous growths grow on the uterus. They are also called leiomyomas, fibromyomas and myomas. They are not known to increase your chance of developing uterine cancer and only in very rare cases do they develop into cancer. It is estimated that every three out of four women will develop a uterine fibroid at some point in their life, but many uterine fibroids cause no symptoms and therefore require no treatment. If a uterine fibroid does cause problems and symptoms, there are several uterine fibroid treatments available.

Watchful Waiting

• In cases where no symptoms are present, watchful waiting is often the best treatment option. Uterine fibroids are noncancerous and typically do not affect fertility, so if they are causing no issues, then medical treatment is often unnecessary. Since uterine fibroids tend to grow very slowly, you may be able to just wait until menopause, when they will most likely shrink on their own due to a drop in reproductive hormones.

Medications

• If uterine fibroids cause symptoms such as pelvic pressure and heavy menstrual cycles, medication may be beneficial. These medications will not eradicate uterine fibroids, but they can help to alleviate the symptoms and shrink the fibroids. Medications include gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, androgens, progestin-releasing intrauterine devices and oral contraceptives. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also be prescribed to help decrease heavy menstrual bleeding, but they will not decrease any fibroid-related bleeding.

Hysterectomy

• A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which the uterus is removed. This is the only permanent treatment option for uterine fibroids, but it is considered a major surgery. You can also elect to have your ovaries removed during a hysterectomy, but removing the ovaries will cause menopause to occur. A hysterectomy will also eliminate your ability to have children.

Myomectomy

• A myomectomy is a surgical procedure done to remove uterine fibroids while not removing the uterus. This treatment option is best if you still wish to have children, but this procedure will not prevent uterine fibroids from recurring. There are three different types of myomectomy: laparoscopic myomectomy, abdominal myomectomy and hysteroscopic myomectomy.

Shrinking and Destroying Treatments

• Certain procedures can be performed that can destroy or shrink uterine fibroids without having to remove them through a surgical procedure. Myolisis is a procedure that uses a laser or electric current to shrink the blood vessels feeding the fibroids as well as to destroy the fibroids. Cryomyolysis destroys uterine fibroids by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. Endometrial ablation is a procedure in which a specialized instrument using hot water, heat, electric current or microwave energy is used to destroy the uterine lining. This procedure can also be used to help stop abnormal bleeding. Uterine artery embolization is a procedure in which uterine fibroids are shrunk by injecting embolic agents, or small particles, into the arteries that supply blood to the uterus.

Focused Ultrasound Surgery

• This procedure is used to destroy uterine fibroids without cutting into the uterus. This is done by using an MRI to see into the pelvic area and using high-energy, high-frequency sound waves to destroy the uterine fibroids.