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
Before starting treatment, it’s important to understand your main goal, limitations, and what you want to avoid. 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.
Uterine fibroids are often detected during a routine pelvic exam. Although up to 80 percent of women are affected by fibroids by age 50, many remain unaware of their existence. There are a variety of methods available to diagnose fibroids.
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 the 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 selecting a procedure.
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 like UFE?
Many women with uterine fibroids may not be aware of all their treatment options. Understanding all your treatment choices is important for making informed decisions about your health. There is a range of treatment options available for uterine fibroids, including nonsurgical approaches. Fibroid specialists (interventional radiologists), OBGYNs, and primary physicians can discuss treatment options with their patients. A clear understanding of all the options allows women to choose the treatment that best fits their needs and preferences.
What are the Benefits of UFE 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.
- It uses the body’s natural pathways and arteries versus cutting or stitching.
- Does not interfere with the body’s hormones.
- Over a 90% success rate in eliminating painful symptoms.
- There is 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.