Many women wonder whether fibroids can come back after treatment. The answer depends on the type of treatment you choose.
A hysterectomy is the only treatment that completely eliminates the possibility of fibroids returning because the uterus is removed, leaving no place for fibroids to develop. However, a hysterectomy is a major surgery and may not be the right option for everyone, particularly for women who want to preserve their uterus or avoid a longer recovery period.
For treatments that preserve the uterus, such as uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) or myomectomy, the fibroids that are successfully treated are not expected to grow back. However, because the uterus remains in place, it is still possible for new fibroids to develop in the future. Among uterus-preserving treatments, myomectomy is generally associated with a higher likelihood of future fibroid recurrence because it removes existing fibroids but does not prevent new ones from forming. Studies have shown that a notable percentage of women who undergo myomectomy may develop new fibroids in the years following treatment. UFE, on the other hand, treats multiple fibroids throughout the uterus at the same time, which may reduce the likelihood of needing additional fibroid treatment, although new fibroids can still develop in the future.
The likelihood of developing new fibroids varies based on factors such as age, hormonal influences, and the treatment performed. For example, women who undergo a myomectomy, which surgically removes existing fibroids, may develop new fibroids over time because the procedure does not prevent future fibroid growth. While recurrence rates vary, the risk is generally related to the individual’s tendency to develop fibroids rather than the return of the fibroids that were removed or treated.
What You Can Do
If you are wondering “can fibroids come back after being removed”, we recommend meeting with a fibroid specialist just to make sure there is nothing to worry about. The specialist can run an ultrasound test on you to visibly see inside your uterus and monitor any fibroid growth.
Thankfully there are more treatment options available for uterine fibroids that have a lower rate of recurrence. For example, minimally-invasive treatments like Uterine Fibroid Embolization is very effective at relieving fibroid symptoms and has a low rate of recurrence.
Fibroids are very unpredictable; this is why it can be difficult to determine exactly what causes them to return. If you are someone who had fibroid treatment and your fibroids have returned, we are here for you. We understand that living with fibroids is not easy, especially if you have to live through it twice. Also, not all fibroid treatment procedures are affordable, meaning that you might end up spending thousands for treatment only to have your fibroids return later on.
The Value of a Second Opinion
There are a variety of great treatment options out there, but they all respond differently to different cases or types of fibroids. Women with very large fibroids or fibroids in large numbers may find hysterectomy to be more useful. But this is only recommended if you don’t want to get pregnant.
Before you decide on a fibroid treatment, it can be very valuable to get a second opinion. This means that you should plan to consult with at least 2 different specialists about your fibroid concerns. Ideally they should agree on a treatment method, but if not, you should also do your own research about which fibroid treatment would be best for you.
Share your Story
If you have uterine fibroids, we want you to know we are here for you. As Fibroid Fighters, it’s our mission to raise awareness about the effects of fibroids, as well as educate women on the various options for treatment.
We also want to invite anyone who has experience with uterine fibroids, whether you had them in the past, already had treatment, or know someone who had fibroids, we want to hear from you. When you provide us with your story, it not only helps us find any patterns in fibroid development, but it also can be a valuable resource to other women currently struggling with fibroids.
