They vary in size from smaller than a pinhead to the size of a watermelon or bigger.
The vast majority of uterine fibroids are benign (not cancerous).
Fibroids are fairly common, affectingup to 80%of people with uteruses by 50 years of age.
Verywell / Danie Drinkwater
Other less-invasive options are available.
This article discusses surgery options for uterine fibroids.
Hysterectomy guarantees they won’t return.
It has a high success rate.
Myomectomyremoves the fibroids instead of shrinking them or destroying them.
This procedure can be used as an alternative to hysterectomy for people who want to preserve their uterus.
It can also be a more complicated surgery and carries a risk of fibroids returning.
After amyomectomy, the uterus usually returns to functioning normally, including with regards to menstruation.
Menstrual bleeding may be lighter than it was before surgery.
Pregnancy is possible after a myomectomy, but the pregnancy may need to be monitored for possible risks.
There are four main types of myomectomy.
Several other small incisions are also required to allow special instruments to be inserted to remove the fibroids.
Some surgeons also use a robotic machine to precisely control the movement of the instruments.
In this procedure, fibroids may also be removed through the vagina.
It’s performed under general anesthesia.
A camera with a specialized attachment is placed through the vagina into the uterus to remove fibroids.
This is performed under general orregional anesthesia.
It is invasive surgery that requires an incision of five to seven inches in the lower abdomen.
The incision may be vertical or horizontal.
A horizontal incision is made just above the pubic bone, in whats known as a bikini cut.
It heals faster and is less noticeable than a vertical cut.
A vertical incision is used for more complicated cases or for the removal of very large fibroids.
This procedure requires a hospital stay of one to three daysand rest for two weeks.
Part of the procedure is completed vaginally.
This procedure has shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times than abdominal hysterectomy.
Typically, there are shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times than abdominal hysterectomies.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about this procedure.
They may include:
Surgical Alternatives
Nonsurgical treatment options for fibroids are also available.
Watchful Waiting
Fibroids that are not causing problems or bothersome symptoms do not necessarily need treatment.
A wait-and-see approach may be appropriate in these cases.
With watchful waiting, the fibroids are monitored for changes and growth through regular pelvic exams and/or ultrasounds.
It is a three-hour procedure where a person lies in anMRI machinewhile conscious but given a mild sedative.
A radiologist uses the MRI to target the fibroid tissue and direct the ultrasound beam.
This procedure is typically used to stop heavy menstrual bleeding and for removing small fibroids.
It’s not useful for large fibroids or for fibroids that have grown outside of the interior uterine lining.
Endometrial ablation usually stops or significantly reduces monthly menstruation and can significantly decrease the likelihood of pregnancy.
There isnt a specific size of fibroid that would automatically determine a need for its removal.
The need for treatment is largely based on symptoms, not size.
How do you get rid of fibroids without surgery?
Healthcare providers take a number of factors into account when deciding on treatment for fibroids, including surgery.
Some things they consider include:
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