Uterine Fibroids

Medicines may help control bleeding and pain caused by fibroids.

Treatment options include:

• Pain medicine: Helps ease cramps and pain during your period.
• Birth control pills: May help make periods lighter and more regular.
• Hormonal IUD: A small device placed inside the uterus that may reduce heavy bleeding.
• Hormone-blocking medicines: May shrink fibroids or reduce bleeding. Some are used for only a short time because they can cause side effects, including bone loss.

Medicines can help control symptoms, but most do not remove fibroids.

Endometrial ablation is a procedure that treats heavy periods by removing or destroying the thin lining inside the uterus.

It may help reduce bleeding, but it does not remove fibroids.

This treatment is only for patients who do not want to become pregnant in the future. It may not work well if fibroids change the shape of the inside of the uterus.

Radiofrequency ablation is a treatment that uses heat to shrink fibroids.

During the procedure, the doctor places a small tool into each fibroid. The tool uses heat to treat the fibroid, which then becomes smaller over time.

This can be done through small cuts in the belly or without incisions by entering the uterus through the cervix. Most patients go home the same day.

This treatment may help reduce heavy bleeding, pain, and pressure without removing the uterus.

Uterine fibroid embolization is a treatment that blocks blood flow to fibroids so they shrink.  It is performed by members of our team in Interventional Radiology.

A doctor places a thin tube into a blood vessel and guides it to the blood vessels that feed the fibroids. Tiny particles are then used to block the blood flow.

As the fibroids shrink, symptoms such as heavy bleeding, pain, and pressure may improve.

This treatment does not require surgery to remove the fibroids.

Learn more about Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)

Minimally invasive surgery uses special tools placed through the vagina and cervix, called hysteroscopy, or through small incisions in the belly, called laparoscopy. Robot assisted surgery can be used during laparoscopy to help the surgeon perform more complicated operations.

These methods often cause less bleeding, less pain and allow a faster recovery than traditional open surgery.

A myomectomy is surgery to remove fibroids while keeping the uterus. This may be a good choice for patients who want to become pregnant or keep their uterus. Some fibroids can be removed using small cuts in the belly. This is called laparoscopic or robotic surgery. Other fibroids can be removed through the vagina and cervix using a small camera placed inside the uterus. This is called hysteroscopic myomectomy and does not require cuts in the belly. The type of surgery depends on the size, number, and location of the fibroids.

A hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus.

It is the only treatment that fully prevents fibroids from coming back. After a hysterectomy, you will no longer have periods or be able to become pregnant.

Removing the uterus does not always cause menopause. If your ovaries are left in place, they can continue to make hormones. Most patients do not need hormone treatment after surgery if their ovaries are kept.

A hysterectomy can provide lasting relief from heavy bleeding and many symptoms caused by fibroids.

Many patients also report a better quality of life after recovery.

Removing the uterus can be done through the vagina, with laparoscopy or robotics, or through a traditional incision in the belly.  The team will discuss with you the best way for you to have a hysterectomy and whether that’s the right decision for you.