The Mayo Clinic offers a variety of fibroid treatment options. Patients may undergo surgery, ultrasound, magnet therapy, or a combination of all of these. However, some of these options can have serious side effects. It is important to discuss any potential complications with your doctor before starting any new treatment. Also, keep in mind that some of these procedures only treat a portion of the fibroid at a time. If you are looking for more tips, check out fibroid removal Houston
If you’ve been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, your health care provider will first evaluate your symptoms. Your symptoms may include severe abdominal pain that is not relieved by pain medications. You may also experience bleeding and anemia. In some cases, fibroids can be detected during a routine pelvic exam.
Medications can help control your hormone levels, reduce the pain caused by fibroids, and shrink them. These medications may include gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists, oral contraceptives, or progestin-releasing intrauterine devices. You may also be prescribed iron and vitamins. There are also noninvasive procedures for uterine fibroids that require no incision. These procedures use a high-energy ultrasound transducer to focus sound waves directly onto the fibroids.
Hysterectomy is another option for women with symptomatic fibroids. The approach taken during hysterectomy depends on the location and severity of the fibroids. Sometimes, an open incision in the lower abdomen is needed. Other times, surgeons use a minimally invasive procedure to remove the uterus. This results in less pain and a faster recovery.
Another minimally invasive fibroid treatment is radiofrequency ablation. This procedure involves the use of radiofrequency energy to kill fibroids and shrink the blood vessels that nourish them. The procedure can be performed either laparoscopically or transcervically through a small incision. Recovery is fast and most women can resume their normal activities within a week or two.
Fibroids are frequently diagnosed during a pelvic examination, where irregularities in the shape of the uterus may be found. However, the presence of fibroids can only be confirmed by a pelvic ultrasound. The ultrasound uses sound waves to create a picture of the uterus. The image generated is used to identify the size and location of the fibroids.
Although fibroids are not cancerous, they may have side effects such as bleeding and anemia. The most effective treatment for fibroids is gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists. These drugs suppress the production of estrogen and progesterone. These medications are generally used for three to six months. However, long-term use of these medications may cause bone loss.