Treatment

Description

Uterine artery embolization

Uterine artery embolization provides a minimally invasive way to block the uterine arteries and stop the blood supply to the fibroids. Read more about uterine artery embolization.

Medication

Once you are diagnosed with uterine fibroids, the first course of action typically is treatment with nonsteroid anti-inflammatory agents, such as naproxen sodium, ibuprofen or Naprosyn®, birth control pills or progesterone agents. If these are ineffective, another treatment option is explored.

Hormones

Another option involves hormone treatment using medications such as Lupron®, which decreases estrogen levels and shrinks fibroids. Hormone treatment may cause hot flashes, mood alteration and decreased bone density, which can lead to osteoporosis. The use of Lupron typically is limited to six months. Unfortunately, discontinuing use often causes regrowth of the fibroid.

Hysteroscopic resection

A hysteroscopic resection is used if the fibroids are submucosal (inside the uterus, just below the lining projecting into the uterine cavity). The procedure involves advancing a scope into the uterus through the vagina to remove or partially remove the lining of the uterus to control bleeding. Removal of the uterus lining prevents future pregnancies.

Hysterectomy

About one-third of the more than 500,000 hysterectomies performed in the United States each year are due to fibroids. During a hysterectomy, the uterus is removed in an open surgical procedure. This operation is considered major surgery and is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia. It requires three days to four days of hospitalization, with full recovery after about six weeks. Some women are candidates for a newer, less-invasive laparoscopic procedure. The recovery time for this procedure is considerably shorter.

Hysterectomies typically are performed on women who are past their childbearing years or who understand they no longer will be able to have children after this procedure.

Myomectomy

Myomectomy involves removal of just the fibroids, not the uterus. Myomectomy preserves the woman's ability to have children. There are several ways to perform myomectomy, including hysteroscopic myomectomy, laparoscopic myomectomy and abdominal myomectomy.