Fibroid Treatment Options

Fibroid treatment is highly personal and can look different for each individual. Some people choose to monitor fibroids over time, while others explore medical therapies, procedural options, or surgical care based on how fibroids affect their health and daily life.

Understanding the range of available treatments can help individuals feel informed as they navigate decisions alongside their healthcare providers. It can also build confidence to advocate for themselves, ask questions, and learn about the range of available treatment options, helping ensure their voice is heard and their care aligns with their health needs, lifestyle, and personal priorities.

How are Fibroids Treated?

There are many different ways doctors treat fibroid symptoms; some of them include:

Nonsurgical treatments like uterine fibroid embolization, also known as uterine artery embolization
Invasive surgeries like hysterectomy or myomectomy
Laparoscopic procedures
Hormone medications
Endometrial ablation

Before starting treatment, it’s important to understand your main goal, limitations, and what you want to avoid. Every individual has unique needs that their healthcare provider should consider when discussing treatment options and developing a care plan. Your fibroid treatment should not make you anxious or worried; you should be confident in understanding the risks.

Several types of healthcare providers may be involved in diagnosing, monitoring, and treating uterine fibroids. The specialist you see may depend on your symptoms, treatment goals, and the type of care you are considering.

Who Treats Uterine Fibroids?

Obstetrician-Gynecologists (OB-GYNs)

OB-GYNs specialize in women’s reproductive health and are often the first healthcare providers to diagnose fibroids. They may recommend monitoring fibroids, prescribe medications to help manage symptoms, or perform surgical procedures such as myomectomy or hysterectomy when appropriate.

Interventional radiologists are physicians who use advanced imaging to perform minimally invasive procedures. They perform uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), a nonsurgical treatment that blocks blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink over time.

Interventional Radiologists

Primary Care Providers

Primary care physicians and other healthcare providers may help identify symptoms, order initial testing, and refer patients to specialists for further evaluation and treatment.

Fertility Specialists

For individuals who hope to become pregnant, a fertility specialist may be consulted to discuss how fibroids could affect fertility and what treatment approaches may best support future reproductive goals.

The Importance of Shared Decision-Making

Because fibroid treatment is highly individualized, many people benefit from learning about multiple treatment options before making a decision. Understanding the potential benefits, limitations, recovery expectations, and long-term considerations of different approaches can help patients have informed conversations with their healthcare team and choose a treatment plan that aligns with their health goals and personal priorities.

Before choosing a treatment, consider the following questions:

What type of sedation or anesthesia is used during the procedure?
How long is the recovery period after treatment?
How much time will you need to take off work or other responsibilities afterward?
Will the treatment allow you to preserve your fertility and/or uterus?
Is the procedure performed in a hospital or an outpatient setting?
What pain management is recommended after treatment?
Will the treatment affect your body’s hormones?
How effective is the treatment at relieving fibroid symptoms?
Can this treatment be used for large or multiple fibroids?
What is the likelihood of fibroids recurring after treatment?
Is the procedure FDA-approved?

These questions can serve as a guide when discussing treatment options with your healthcare provider. Understanding the potential benefits, risks, and long-term considerations of each treatment can help you make a decision that is right for you.

Why Is Awareness of Fibroids Still Limited?

Fibroids are common, yet many people are unfamiliar with their symptoms and treatment options. Symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, fatigue, and frequent urination are sometimes attributed to other causes or accepted as a normal part of menstruation. Because menstrual health can be a sensitive topic, some individuals may delay discussing symptoms with a healthcare provider. Increasing education about fibroids and encouraging open conversations about menstrual health can help people recognize symptoms and seek appropriate care.

What Are the Potential Benefits of UFE?

Potential benefits of uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) may include:

A shorter recovery time compared with many surgical procedures, often about 7-10 days.
Uterus preservation.
Treatment without a large surgical incision. page on Fib
No need for general anesthesia in many cases.
No hospital stay for most patients.
Treatment that works by blocking blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink over time.
Relief of fibroid-related symptoms for many patients.
A lower risk of certain complications associated with major surgery.
Typically performed as an outpatient procedure.
Coverage by many insurance plans.
An FDA-cleared treatment that has been performed for more than two decades.

Important Considerations

There is no single treatment that is right for everyone. The best treatment option depends on your symptoms, medical history, treatment goals, and personal preferences. Discussing all available options with your healthcare provider can help you determine the approach that best meets your individual needs.

If you would like to learn more about uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) or other fibroid treatment approaches, educational resources and physician consultations are available through USA Fibroid Centers.

Learn More About UFE