Treatment Options for Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growth in the uterus. Approximately, 40-50% of women suffer from this disorder. The fibroids growth may vary in size, number, and location in the uterus. It may grow as a single fibroid or in clusters. This is a very uncomfortable situation for women and can lead to pelvic pain, bleeding, infertility, painful intercourse. The type of fibroid and the resulting symptoms determine the way it can be treated

The various treatment options to cure uterine fibroids from the mild to devere are described as below: -

• Wait for Symptoms:Fibroids may not always show symptoms which may be the case for a quite a few women. When this happens, it is best to wait for the occurrence of symptoms. Fibroids in women around their menopausal stage may even shrink on its own.
• Therapies:Some medicinal therapies can help eliminate the symptoms caused due to the development of fibroids. Some of the most used therapy procedures are: -

Tranexamic acid.A uterine fibroid may cause heavy menstrual bleeding in some women. This non-hormonal medication helps to ease the menstrual flow.

NSAIDs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a type of painkiller which is used to relieve pain. Weakness due to heavy menstrual flow can be controlled with iron and vitamin supplements.

Contraceptive pills/progestins.These drugs are used to normalize abnormal bleeding during menstruation.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) agonists.The production of estrogen and progesterone is temporarily prevented with Gn-RH. It can also lead to shrinking of the fibroid that facilitates its surgical removal. Not used over 3 to 6 months as can result in bone loss.

Drugs such as Mifepristone and Ulipristal are being used nowadays to reduce the size of fibroids.

• Non-surgical Procedures:Ultrasound surgery is used to detect the exact location of the fibroids. Fibroids are then damaged with sound waves. The ultrasonic transducer is used for this treatment. This procedure is safe and shows effective results.
• Minimally invasive procedures:These procedures involve the minimal incision.

• Uterine Artery Embolization.Blood flow to the uterus is stopped to hinder further growth of fibroid.

• Myolysis. The fibroids are lysed off using laparoscopically heat or cold waves.

• Endometrial ablation. In this method, the lining of the uterus is destroyed with cold waves.

• Invasive procedures: When all other treatments fail to reduce the symptoms, invasive surgical treatments can only help. In this treatment, the fibroids are removed from the uterus through an incision in the abdomen