What treatment options are there for fibroid disease?
When I see a patient in the office for fibroid disease, one of the most challenging topics to cover are the range of options for fibroid treatments. Below is a short list of options for treating uterine fibroids. While one woman may choose uterine fibroid embolization, another woman may prefer to have a myomectomy. I try and discuss all of your options instead of just the one treatment or procedure that a doctor knows how to perform.
There are many effective ways to treat fibroids, and the type of treatment chosen will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the fibroid size, number and location. Your preference and desire for future childbearing also enters into the treatment discussion. Not all treatments are recommended for all women.
Fibroid Embolization
Uterine Fibroid Embolization is a non-surgical treatment for fibroid disease. What does this mean to a woman? This means minimal recovery time, return to work and life faster, and with less pain. Any surgery comes with risks but minimizing the trauma to the body significantly decreases the risks associated with treatment. There are no big scars, no hospital operating rooms, and no long recovery. Learn more on our Fibroid Embolization Page.
Myomectomy
Fibroids grow inside of the uterus muscle but can be separated from the uterus itself. In myomectomy, the uterus is opened and the fibroid is removed, leaving the remainder of the uterus intact. Learn more on our Myomectomy Page.
Hysterectomy
With todays advanced non-surgical techniques, there is no reason why a woman should have to undergo a hysterectomy just for fibroid disease. Of course hysterectomy is an important treatment for other disease including cancer, but shouldn’t be the first line treatment for fibroids. Learn more on our Hysterectomy Page.
Oral Hormones
Some women with minimal symptoms from their fibroids can be effectively treated with life-long oral hormone therapy.
Ablation
For small fibroids on the inner lining of the uterus, a small, thin camera is inserted through the cervix. The fibroid can be ablated, or heated from within the uterus. This is a minor procedure with minimal recuperation time, but can only be offered to women who have fibroids within the inner mucosal lining of the uterine cavity. Women who want to get pregnant, cannot have this procedure. Often, the lining of the uterus regenerates, and further treatment is required.
Each woman has unique desires after fibroid treatment. Fibroid embolization may be the option of choice for one woman, while another elects to undergo advanced myomectomy, or fibroid removal. However, our ultimate goal is to provide each woman with all the fibroid treatment options available to them and to help prevent hysterectomy.