Uterine Fibroids Treatment | 15+ Yrs. Experienced Lady Doctor

Surgical Treatment for Uterine Fibroids

• Radio-frequency ablation: It is a minimally invasive procedure. It involves heat to target the fibroids and reduce their size significantly by shrinking the blood vessels that feed them. This procedure is usually suggested to patients whose fibroids are not too large, their uterus is below the navel and they have not had complex abdominal surgeries in the past. Although this procedure reduces the size of fibroids, it does not necessarily eliminate them. There is a chance that the fibroids may regrow. Also, new fibroids can develop after the procedure. 
• Hysteroscopic myomectomy: Doctor recommends this procedure to remove submucous fibroids that are found in the uterine cavity. In this procedure, fibroids are removed using an instrument called a hysteroscopic resectoscope, which is passed into the uterine cavity through the vagina and cervical canal, and the fibroids are removed using an electrosurgical wire loop. 
• Endometrial ablation: It is the ideal procedure to treat fibroids that cause heavy and abnormal bleeding. It is performed by inserting an instrument through the uterus that uses heat, microwave energy, hot water, or electric current to destroy the linings of the uterus. Endometrial ablation is not recommended if you are pregnant or are planning for a pregnancy in the future. 
• Myolysis and Cryomyolysis: Doctor recommends this procedure to treat fibroids of certain sizes near the surface of the uterus. It is carried out by making small incisions. In this procedure, surgical devices are inserted through the incisions that direct the source of heat using an electrical current or laser in order to close the supply of blood to the fibroids. The fibroids remain intact and are not surgically removed. However, without a blood supply, they gradually shrink over the course of time.
• MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery (FUS): During this procedure, you will be placed inside an MRI scanner, and your uterus, along with the other organs inside your abdomen, will be clearly viewed by the doctor. Once the doctor detects the precise location of the fibroids, a transducer will be used to generate focused sound waves into the fibroid in order to heat up the fibroids before completely destroying them, leaving your uterus intact.

Who Gets Uterine Fibroids?

• Uterine Fibroids may affect females of any age but are mostly present in the 30-50 years age category (young and middle-aged adults are affected the most)
• These tumors are very common, about 70-80% of women usually have fibroids by the time they are 50 years old.
• Women with the rare genetic disorder, namely hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cancer syndrome, may present with leiomyomas at an earlier age (while they are much younger)
• Africans and African Americans have a higher incidence of these tumors when compared to individuals of other racial groups or ethnicities (3:1 incident rate over other races/ethnic groups). In such individuals, the tumors are often seen to arise at a much younger age.

What are the Risk Factors for Uterine Fibroid?

The risk factors for uterine fibroids may include the following:

• Family history of the condition
• Imbalance of estrogen and progesterone hormone levels in the body
• Women of African descent are at a higher risk in comparison to individuals of other races/ethnic groups. In general, such women have larger fibroids, more signs and symptoms, and the tumors are known to grow more rapidly in size
• Early onset of menstruation (in girls)
• Obesity, being overweight
• A diet that’s high in meat and low in vegetables
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Some variants are more common during the active reproductive phase (age) of a woman than others.

How Can Uterine Fibroids Be Prevented?

There is no established way to prevent uterine fibroids. However, the following factors may be considered to reduce the risk for uterine fibroids:

• Maintain weight through proper diet modification and physical exercises if you are overweight/obese
• Avoid alcohol consumption or limit its intake.
• Having a properly balanced diet that is not high in meat and low in vegetables. A balanced diet can also help avoid any mineral or vitamin deficiencies in the body.
• Regular prenatal checkups are necessary to monitor the health of the expectant mother and baby in the womb.
• Regular medical screening at periodic intervals with blood tests, radiological scans, and physical examinations are mandatory due to the risk of recurrence of the tumor.

Questions to Ask Your Gynecologist Before Uterine Fibroid Treatment

It is extremely important to ask your gynecologist the following questions to understand the treatment procedure and the risks and complications associated with it.

• What is the best treatment option for uterine fibroid?
• Are fibroids located on the uterus or inside the uterus?
• How effective medication is a uterine fibroid treatment?
• What are the other alternative options for uterine fibroid except for surgery?
• What are the chances of the uterine returning back after the surgery?
• Can treatment improve my fertility?
• What precautions do I need to take after the surgery for uterine fibroids?
• What are the risks and complications associated with surgery for uterine fibroids?
• What precautions do I need to take to reduce the risk of uterine fibroid in the future?
• Can uterine fibroid affect fertility?
• Can fibroids regrow after the treatment?
• What food items do I need to avoid while having uterine fibroids?