Fibroid Treatment

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

It’s important to understand your main goal, limitations, and what you want to avoid before going through treatment. Every woman has unique needs that her doctor or fibroid specialist should consider before creating a treatment plan. Your fibroid treatment should not make you anxious or worried; you should be confident in understanding the risks.

Here is a checklist of what to consider before choosing a treatment:

  • The recovery length following treatment.
  • What kind of sedative is used during the procedure.
  • How much work do you have to take off afterward?
  • If you can preserve your fertility or uterus.
  • If the procedure is performed inside a hospital or in an outpatient setting.
  • What kind of pain management is recommended following treatment?
  • If the treatment interferes with your body’s hormones.
  • How effective it is at alleviating fibroid symptoms.
  • If large or numerous fibroids can be treated in this way.
  • If the risk of fibroids developing again in the future is high or low.
  • If the procedure is FDA-approved.

Considering these above questions and topics can help you decide what treatment option is best for you. Your doctor should respect your wishes and give you all the treatment options before commencing.

Why is There a Lack of Awareness about Fibroids?

There is a disparity regarding the lack of awareness of fibroids because the symptoms are often ignored or considered normal. It can be difficult to measure and compare period pain, especially when discussing menstruation is considered taboo. Sharing information and tracking period length and heaviness can help raise awareness about fibroids.

Why is There a Lack of Awareness about Nonsurgical Fibroid Treatment?

It’s shocking that so many women are still not offered nonsurgical treatment options. It is especially frustrating when women who are not interested in invasive surgeries are given no alternatives. The fact is that over 44% of women diagnosed with uterine fibroids have never heard of Uterine Fibroid Embolization. We believe that fibroid specialists, OBGYNs, and primary physicians should offer their patients nonsurgical options first before performing major surgery. This gives women more freedom and options for preserving their uterus.

What are the Benefits of Nonsurgical Fibroid Treatment?

  • Shorter recovery than surgery – on average, between 7-10 days.
  • Ability to preserve the uterus and retain fertility functionality.
  • Avoid general anesthesia and a hospital stay.
  • Uses the body’s natural pathways: the arteries, versus cutting or stitching.
  • Does not interfere with the body’s hormones.
  • Over a 90% success rate in eliminating painful symptoms.
  • Less risk of surgical complications.
  • Typically performed as an outpatient procedure.
  • Covered by most insurance companies.
  • FDA- approved and has been used for over 20 years.

Nonsurgical fibroid treatments like Uterine Fibroid Embolization or Uterine Artery Embolization are effective at treating fibroid symptoms and eliminating heavy bleeding, bleeding between cycles, long periods lasting over 10 days, pelvic pain, protruding belly, pain during sex, fatigue from anemia, and frequent urination.