Fibroids can cause painful and disruptive symptoms like heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, and back pain. Surgery is often the main option offered to women when they’re diagnosed with fibroids. Yet, non-surgical fibroid removal options provide significant benefits, giving women effective and minimally invasive alternatives, such as uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), which can shrink fibroids and relieve symptoms without the risks associated with major surgery.
If you’re experiencing painful fibroid symptoms, there are fibroid removal options available that don’t involve surgery. Exploring minimally invasive alternatives can clarify your treatment options and help you make the best decision for your health.
Speak with a Fibroid Specialist about Your Options
Understanding Fibroid Removal Options
While most fibroids are benign, some can grow large enough or in certain locations to cause painful symptoms or complications with fertility, pregnancy, or delivery. Even small fibroids growing in specific locations can cause painful symptoms and require treatment to alleviate discomfort.
Decisions about fibroid removal should be made in consultation with a specialist, as fibroid removal options aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Treatment plans can vary based on fibroid size, location, symptom severity, and future fertility goals.
Minimally Invasive Fibroid Removal Options
For those seeking relief from fibroid symptoms without major surgery, non-invasive fibroid removal should be discussed with a fibroid specialist to guide you toward the best treatment for your condition.
UTERINE FIBROID EMBOLIZATION (UFE)
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a non-surgical treatment that gets rid of fibroids. During UFE, a small catheter is inserted into the wrist or upper thigh and guided into the uterine arteries to block the blood supply to the fibroid, causing it to shrink over time.
The uterine fibroid embolization procedure is performed in an outpatient setting without general anesthesia, and most people return to their normal activities within a week. Since it does not involve removing the uterus, UFE is an ideal option for women looking for a non-invasive fibroid removal option.
MEDICATION
Certain medications may help manage uterine fibroids, particularly gonadotropin-releasing (GnRH)-stimulators. These medicines work by lowering estrogen and progesterone levels, which usually leads to a temporary menopause-like state, causing the fibroids to shrink, possibly.
Surgical Fibroid Removal Options
For many years, surgery, such as hysterectomy or myomectomy, has been the most common fibroid removal option. But today, less invasive alternatives are available. Learning about all your options can help you choose the best path for your health and future.
HYSTERECTOMY
A hysterectomy is a common surgical treatment for fibroids that involves removing the uterus, and in some cases, other reproductive organs as well. While it can effectively eliminate fibroids, it also permanently ends the ability to become pregnant or carry a child. Because it’s a major surgery, a hysterectomy carries more risks, typically a hospital stay, and a longer recovery time than non-surgical options.
When comparing uterine fibroid embolization to a hysterectomy, UFE offers a less invasive alternative with several significant advantages, including faster healing and fewer risks. Many women experience similar symptom relief without the effects of uterus removal or the downtime associated with traditional surgery.
MYOMECTOMY
A myomectomy is a surgical procedure used to remove fibroids while preserving the uterus. Depending on the size and location of the fibroids, a doctor may recommend one of several types of myomectomies. While a myomectomy is often preferred over a hysterectomy, it is still an invasive procedure that requires general anesthesia, carries surgical risks (such as blood clots, infection, and scarring), and can involve a more extended recovery period.
It’s also important to consider long-term outcomes, as a myomectomy does not guarantee that fibroids won’t return. Recurrence is more common with a myomectomy, as UFE targets the fibroid’s blood supply to reduce the risk of regrowth.
How To Choose the Right Fibroid Removal Option
Choosing the best fibroid removal option depends on your symptoms, reproductive goals, and overall health.
Everyone’s experience with fibroids is different, so as you consider your options, ask yourself the following:
- Do you want to avoid surgery?
- Are you planning to have children in the future?
- How severe are your symptoms?
Consulting with a fibroid specialist ensures you get expert guidance and answers tailored to your condition and health goals.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Fibroid Removal Recovery After UFE
Recovery after fibroid removal through uterine fibroid embolization is typically quick, especially when compared to surgical alternatives like a hysterectomy. UFE is performed as an outpatient procedure, so you can go home the same day to start your recovery. Most patients experience mild to moderate cramping in the lower abdomen within the first 24 hours, similar to menstrual cramps.
On average, recovery from fibroid removal with UFE takes about 11 days, ranging from one to two weeks. Uterine fibroid embolization provides a faster, less disruptive fibroid removal recovery with fewer complications than traditional surgery.
Uterine Fibroid Removal With USA Fibroid Centers
You don’t have to live with fibroid pain and discomfort. USA Fibroid Centers offers uterine fibroid embolization with convenient locations nationwide, so it’s easy to get the care you need close to home.
Schedule a consultation online today to see if UFE is right for you. When you book online or call us at 855.615.2555, you can verify your insurance coverage in real-time. Our care team is ready to help you take the next step toward a life free from fibroid symptoms.
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FAQs About Fibroid Removal Options
How to Remove Fibroids?
There are several fibroid removal options, including surgeries like hysterectomy and myomectomy, and minimally invasive options such as the uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) procedure.
How to Get Rid of Fibroids Naturally?
There is no proven, natural cure to get rid of fibroids. While lifestyle choices, such as a balanced diet and regular exercise, can support overall health, they do not eliminate fibroids.
If you are experiencing symptoms, it’s important to consult a fibroid specialist, such as an interventional radiologist, who can provide evidence-based options, including uterine fibroid embolization (UFE).
Does Fibroid Removal Affect Hormones?
Some fibroid removal procedures affect hormones, while others do not. UFE does not affect hormones since it leaves the uterus and ovaries intact. A laparoscopic myomectomy has minimal impact on hormones, depending on whether the ovaries are left untouched. A hysterectomy can lead to hormonal changes, potentially causing premature menopause with symptoms like mood swings and hot flashes.
Does UFE Remove Fibroids Permanently?
UFE does not surgically remove fibroids, but rather shrinks them over time by cutting off their blood supply, reducing their size, and allowing them to be naturally reabsorbed by the body. This shrinkage relieves pressure on the uterus and surrounding organs, helping to alleviate symptoms such as pain, heavy bleeding, or bloating.
How to Prevent Fibroids?
Fibroids cannot be completely prevented, as their development is influenced by factors like genetics, hormones, and age. While maintaining a healthy lifestyle may support overall reproductive health, it will not prevent fibroids from forming or growing. Medical treatment is often necessary for long-term management.
Do Fibroids Go Away on Their Own?
It is unlikely for fibroids to go away on their own, and treatment is typically needed to alleviate symptoms. In some cases, fibroids may shrink on their own after menopause due to a drop in hormone levels, but this isn’t guaranteed. If fibroids are disrupting your daily life, waiting for them to disappear may not be the best course of action. Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) can provide lasting relief without surgery or removal of the uterus, along with minimal recovery time.
