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Non-Surgical Treatments for Fibroids

Fibroids result from an imbalance of estrogen and progesterone levels in a woman's body. Traditionally, surgical methods--particularly hysterectomies--have been a widely used for treating fibroids. However, there are now many available treatments that are less invasive and may eliminate the need for surgery.

  1. Uterine Artery Embolization

    • Uterine artery embolization (UAE), also referred to as a uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), is a minimally invasive procedure. It involves blocking the blood flow to the fibroids. Tiny particles are injected into the uterine arteries that supply blood to the fibroids, cutting off their supply of oxygen and nutrients.

    Herbal Remedies

    • A number of herbs have long been used to in folk remedies to treat fibroids. One of the most widely used herbs is red clover, which is rich in active compounds called isoflavones. Isoflavones are plant compounds that have a structure that is very similar to that of estrogen. Other herbs that are used to treat fibroids include black cohosh, evening primrose, red raspberry, chaste tree and sage.

    GnRH Therapy

    • Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, such as Lupron, are hormonal drugs that are widely used in the treatment of fibroids. They help lower levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body, which in turn helps to shrink the fibroids as well as reduce uterine bleeding.
      GnRH Therapy may be used as the primary treatment, or they may be an adjunct therapy to surgery. When fibroids require surgical removal, GnRH drugs can be prescribed to be taken for at least three months pre-procedure in order to facilitate the actual surgery.

    Iron Supplements

    • Iron supplements are often recommended when fibroids cause heavy uterine bleeding. This mineral is essential to prevent or treat anemia, which often results from the blood loss. Alternatively, you can increase your dietary intake of iron by eating foods rich in the mineral, such as organ meats like liver and leafy greens. Vitamin B12, which is essential in the production of red blood cells, may also need to be supplemented.

    Focused Ultra-sound Ablation

    • This non-surgical procedure utilizes highly focused sound waves, called "sonications," to get rid of fibroids. The patient is placed inside a specially equipped magnetic resonance (MR) scanner for the procedure. A pelvic scan is taken to determine the location of the fibroids, then the sonications (focused sound waves) are targeted at each of the fibroids, which they heat up and destroy (ablate).

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