Treatment Options for Uterine Fibroids

Most women make the mistake of thinking that hysterectomy is the only solution for uterine fibroids; but this is not true. Fibroids can be treated in different ways depending upon your age, your symptoms, the size and location of your fibroids, your desire to have children, and your overall health condition.

If you have been experiencing excessive menstrual bleeding, it is always better to keep a diary of your menstrual cycles so that you can provide all the information that your healthcare practitioner would need, to prescribe the right treatment.

Observation

Healthcare practitioners generally prefer to observe the size and growth of fibroids over a period of time before suggesting any kind of surgeries or procedures. If the fibroids are not growing rapidly and you are not showing any symptoms like pelvic pain or excessive vaginal bleeding, no treatment may be advised. Nevertheless, you may still be asked to undergo pelvic exams once every 6 months to see if there are any changes in your fibroid growth.

Medication

Most cases of uterine fibroids may be treated through medications that include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Advil or ibuprofen for pelvic pain), birth control pills, GnRH (Gonadotropin releasing hormone) agonists, or RU-486. Nevertheless, these are advised only for the short term as they can cause side effects such as osteoporosis, decreased bone density, vaginal dryness, and hot flashes. Some of these medications may be prescribed to reduce the size of the tumor prior to surgery.

Surgery Options

Surgery for treating uterine benefits comes with its own set of benefits and risks. It may not be a viable option for all women, as a lot depends on their health factors and characteristics of their fibroids. It is always better to consult your doctor and analyze your risks and benefits before taking a decision on the surgery. There are different kinds of surgical options to remove uterine fibroids and some of these include:

• Myomectomy: This procedure removes only the fibroids in the uterus and can be completed through hysteroscopy or laparoscopy. However, in certain cases, an open procedure may be necessary.

• Hysterectomy: This surgery is conducted to remove the uterus along with the fibroids. One of the most commonly performed surgical procedures to treat uterine fibroidshysterectomy is considered a permanent cure for fibroids. In case of presence of ovarian masses or a suspicion of cancer, the ovaries and fallopian tubes may also have to be removed during this surgery.

• Uterine Artery Embolization:This is an innovative approach that attempts to clot the arterial blood supply to the fibroid. In this procedure a catheter is inserted into the artery of the leg and tiny plastic or gelatin sponge particles are used to clot the artery. By blocking blood flow to the fibroids, these materials can successfully shrink the size of the uterine fibroids.

• Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound: This is one of the new procedures where in an ultrasound beam is used with the help of MRI, to heat up the fibroid and destroy the tissues of it.

Drinking lots of water and including some whole grains, bran, and fruits in your diet can help you control the symptoms of uterine fibroids in the long-term. If you are suffering from hemorrhoids or constipation, taking some natural laxatives might help. However, it is always better to discuss things with your healthcare practitioner before you decide on any kind of fibroid treatments.