There are several ways in which fibroids can be treated. It is important to have a detailed discussion with your doctor to decide which route would be right for you. The following are many of the ways to treat fibroids:
Medical treatment — Medications called Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are the most common medical treatment for fibroids. One common example is Leuprolide (Lupron Depot®). Most women who use GnRH agonists temporarily stop having menstrual periods and have a significant reduction in the size of their fibroid(s).
Hysterectomy — Hysterectomy is surgical removal of the uterus through the abdomen or vagina.
Abdominal myomectomy — Myomectomy is surgical removal of a fibroid.
Laparoscopic myomectomy — In this procedure, fibroids are removed through a laparoscope, a thin tube inserted through a small incision in the abdomen. A surgeon uses the laparoscope to visualize and remove the fibroids.
Hysteroscopic myomectomy — In this procedure, a telescope-like instrument (hysteroscope) is placed into the vagina, through the cervix and into the uterus. Fibroids may be seen through the hysteroscope and removed.
Uterine artery embolization — In uterine artery embolization (UAE or UFE), a small catheter is inserted in a large blood vessel and threaded up to blood vessels near a fibroid. Tiny particles are injected into the blood vessel, which stops blood flow to the fibroid.
