Young women often experience uterine fibroids during their childbearing years. They often believe the only way to remove them from their uterus is through a hysterectomy, but this also rids them of the chances of childbearing. But there are ways to treat fibroids without a hysterectomy. Luckily, medications and alternative surgery treatments help or cure symptoms.
What Are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths in the uterus developing in the childbearing years of a woman. Symptoms vary based on their size, location, and adjacency to pelvic organs. Causes for them also vary but are often caused by alterations in growth factor, genetic abnormalities, and tissue response due to an injury in the area. Estrogen is known to stimulate the growth of fibroids as well.
Uterine fibroids cause the following symptoms:
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Frequent urination
- Heavy menstrution
For women that have increased pelvic pain or overly heavy periods, they should see a doctor for possible treatment options.
Is a Hysterectomy the Only Option?
Many women wonder how to treat fibroids without a hysterectomy or if there are other options for treatment. Young women suffering from fibroids often feel obligated to get a hysterectomy while being in their prime childbearing years. Hysterectomies are ideal for women experiencing complications of painful fibroids, though it is a complete removal of the uterus, eliminating menstrual cycles and the possibility of children.
While helping with fibroids is a positive of a hysterectomy, each woman deserves to take her future into account to decide (with the help of her doctor) what treatment is right for her.
Treat Fibroids without a Hysterectomy through Medication
While there isn’t any known medication to treat fibroids, there are medicine options to help with reducing the symptoms of them.
These are a few types of medication women take to help with their fibroid symptoms:
- Tranexamic acid: A non-hormonal medication taken during the menstrual cycle
- Hormonal contraceptives: Birth control pills or vaginal rings help smooth fibroid symptoms
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen
Surgeries Other than a Hysterectomy for Fibroid Treatment
A hysterectomy isn’t the only surgical option for fibroids treatment. Treat fibroids without a hysterectomy with these different types of surgery options.
Myomectomy
During a myomectomy, a surgeon removes fibroids in the uterus and surrounding area. Hysteroscopic myomectomy is an option for pregnant women with fibroids and is performed transvaginally with no abdominal incisions as an outpatient procedure.
Uterine fibroid embolization
With an 85 percent success rate, women with large fibroids caused by an enlarged uterus find relief with this procedure. Doctors prefer women who do not want to get pregnant have this operation because it increases the risk of preterm birth and makes conception more difficult.
Endometrial ablation
This procedure is also for women who are aged 45 and older, as it destroys the lining of the uterus, making pregnancy impossible. However, menstrual tissues eventually grow back, which is likely to cause future pain.
Get the Right Option for Fibroid Treatment
At NVSCC, our gynecologic surgery services and doctors help you find the best option to treat your fibroids. Our doctors walk you through every opportunity so you feel confident in your decision for medication or surgery. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for your treatment options.