8 Treatment Options for Fibroids

Years ago, the only option to treat uterine fibroids was to have your uterus removed. There are numerous uterine fibroid treatment methods available today. Take your time deciding on the best uterine fibroid treatment for you if you have fibroids.

There's no reason to worry because the benign overgrowths of muscle cells in the uterus don't turn into cancer.

Treatment options are determined by the severity of your uterine fibroid symptoms. Not everyone with fibroids experiences symptoms, and whether or not you do is largely determined by the size, number, and location of the fibroids. Heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, frequent urination, back pain, and constipation or diarrhea are all symptoms of uterine fibroids.

You and your doctor will also consider "the desire for future fertility" while choosing a fibroid treatment method. Many additional uterine fibroid therapies, unlike hysterectomies, allow you to conceive later.

1. Diet and lifestyle changes

Fibroids are often affected by estrogen, which is produced by fat cells. As a result, losing some weight could help with fibroid symptoms. While there are no major studies on diet or foods that help decrease fibroids, there is some anecdotal evidence that women who eat a plant-based diet have decreased fibroid symptoms.

2. Hormonal medications

Another treatment option for uterine fibroid symptoms is hormonal contraception. They aren't guaranteed to shrink uterine fibroids, but they may help to regulate periods and lessen severe bleeding. This might be the pill or a progestin-releasing IUD, as long as the fibroids don't prevent you from securely placing one.

Androgens, or male hormones, such as danazol (a synthetic testosterone-like medication), can stop periods and decrease fibroids. This treatment, however, may cause weight gain, a lowered voice, and unwanted hair. Talk to your fibroid doctor about other possible side effects of this type of treatment.

3. Waiting

If you have uterine fibroids but no or very moderate symptoms, you can choose to do nothing while keeping an eye out for any changes.

Fibroids can be monitored if they aren't causing any problems and aren't drastically enlarged. It is not necessary for you to intervene. Specialists can assist you in determining whether this is a safe and beneficial solution for you.

4. Uterine artery embolization

This technique, also known as uterine fibroid embolization, deprives fibroids of their lifeblood–literally. Embolization can cut off the fibroids' blood supply. The fibroids then contract and die.

5. Non-hormonal medications

Tranexamic acid (Lysteda), a non-hormonal alternative, can help lessen bleeding if taken on days when your menstruation is heavy. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can help decrease fibroid pain while without reducing fibroid growth.

6. GnRH agonists

If watching your symptoms and making lifestyle changes aren't working, your doctor may prescribe hormone drugs to help you manage your symptoms and shrink your fibroids.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are present in several of these drugs, including leuprolide (Lupron). They act by preventing the generation of hormones. This causes the fibroids to shrink, alleviating uterine fibroid symptoms such as excessive bleeding, pelvic pain, and the need to urinate frequently. Reduced bleeding is especially essential for reducing the risk of anemia in women.

However, stopping hormone production may result in menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.

7. Endometrial ablation

Endometrial ablation is a sort of small surgery that eliminates the entire uterine lining, not just the tumor (called the endometrium). This usually stops excessive bleeding, however, it only works on uterine fibroids in some cases. A tool is placed through the vaginal canal and into the uterus, where it destroys fibroids and uterine tissue with heat, electric currents, or microwave energy. After endometrial ablation, it's doubtful that women will be able to conceive.

8. MRI-guided focused ultrasound

Doctors utilize a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology to find your uterine fibroids, then blast them with high-frequency ultrasound in this non-surgical technique. It is regarded as a permanent surgery for removing or reducing the size of fibroids.