Fibroids treatment will be determined based on your age, general health, medical history, size of the fibroid(s), and your desire for future pregnancy. Treatments for uterine fibroids include:
Traditional Surgery for Uterine Fibroids
Minimally Invasive Procedure for Uterine Fibroids
- Uterine artery embolisation to block blood supply to the fibroid so that the fibroid shrinks and dies
- Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy – removal of the uterus via keyhole surgery
- Endometrial (inner layer of uterus) ablation and resection to remove the lining of the uterus
Non-invasive Procedure
If you want a procedure that requires no incision and can be done on an outpatient basis, ask your doctor about MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery (FUS). It is a non-invasive treatment option for uterine fibroids performed while the patient is lying inside an MRI scanner. Through the images seen on the scanner, your doctor can see the exact location of the uterine fibroids. Once the fibroid is found, the ultrasound transducer uses sound waves to to heat and destroy the fibroid tissue.
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe medicines to treat your uterine fibroids. These medications don’t get rid of the fibroids but may possibly help to shrink them. The medicines can treat fibroid symptoms like heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain by targeting the hormones which regulate your menstrual cycle. These medications include:
- Progesterone to counteract the excess oestrogen
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone to stop oestrogen production in the ovaries – this can delay fibroid treatment until after menopause, when symptoms are less severe or have disappeared completely. The hormone can also be used to shrink the fibroid before surgery
Your doctor may also prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve mild pain related to uterine fibroids.
Treatment Options for Those Trying to Get Pregnant
If you still plan to get pregnant, discuss with your doctor what treatment plan will work best for you. Find out about the benefits and risks of each fibroid treatment options. You will be required to undergo a complete fertility evaluation if you are planning to get pregnant in the future.
If fibroid treatment is necessary for your condition, myomectomy is usually the preferred treatment for those who still want to get pregnant. Hysterectomy and endometrial ablation may not be good options for you. Likewise, radiofrequency ablation and uterine artery embolisation are not ideal uterine fibroid treatments if you want to preserve your fertility.
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