If you’ve been detected with a uterine fibroid, that means that you have a benign tumor or growth in the uterus. These tumors are usually smooth and round, and they’re often difficult to detect during physical exams. Some people experience extreme pelvic discomfort, irregular periods, heavy menstrual flow, abnormal vaginal bleeding, pain when urinating or having intercourse.
Doctors use ultrasound to diagnose fibroids; the doctor can also use other imaging methods like MRI. If you have been detected with a fibroid, you may consult Dr. Richard Strathmann.
In this post, we will cover all the methods of treating fibroids.
Table of Contents
Treatment:
The treatment can be carried out in four ways depending upon the severity of the case.
Medication: medicine does not remove the fibroid; they shrink them. Once the fibroid is small, it causes no harm or discomfort. These medicines include:
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists: these block the production of estrogen and progesterone, and the females come into a state of temporary menopause. The outcome is menstruation stops and fibroid shrinks.
- Progestin-releasing IUD: these relieve heavy bleeding due to fibroids. They do not shrink the fibroid but prevent excessive bleeding.
- Tranexamic acids: these medications are only during heavy bleeding.
Non-invasive procedures:
- MRI-guided focused ultrasound is used in this surgery. It helps the doctor find the exact location of the fibroid, and with the help of sound waves, the doctor destroys the fibroid tissue. This form of ultrasound is a new technology; studies are still going on to determine the effectiveness and safety of the procedure.
Minimally invasive techniques:
- Uterine artery embolization: arteries supplying blood to fibroid are embolized. The fibroid is then devoid of blood supply and starts to shrink. Complications can occur if the arterial supply to the ovaries or any other organ gets compromised.
- Radiofrequency ablation: radiofrequency energies are used to destroy the fibroid tissue and arteries supplying them. Radiofrequency ablation also leads to shrinkage of the fibroid.
- Robotic myomectomy: also known as laparoscopic myomectomy, is a procedure in which the doctor removes the fibroid leaving the uterus in place. For this procedure to be successful, the number of fibroids should be less.
- Endometrial ablation: a particular instrument is inserted into the uterus. This instrument uses heat energy or electrical current to destroy the lining of the uterus.
Surgical procedures:
- Hysterectomy: Uterus removal is the last and final surgery option. In severe cases, this is the only option. Once the uterus is removed, a female can never have more children.
- Abdominal myomectomy: this is an open abdominal procedure to access the fibroids and remove them. This method is preferred besides hysterectomy as this leaves the female with chances of becoming pregnant.
You may consult your gynecologist for further details. Depending upon the number of fibroids and size, the doctor suggests the line of treatment.