Good day bloggers. When confirmed by Ultrasonography, the news of uterine fibroids was a much-awaited diagnosis. This must have affected the daily routine. The only query now asked is, Should we go for Medical treatment or surgery for Uterine Fibroids? This decision treats uterine fibroids depending on symptoms and age of the patient too. If you are planning for pregnancy, then you might want to go for surgery, if it is hard for you to get pregnant or it is affecting your quality of life, and other treatments failed to offer relief. There are two surgical treatments for fibroids: removing fibroids out of the uterus (myomectomy) and removing the uterus itself (hysterectomy). If Pregnancy is a matter of interest, taking out just the fibroids may improve your chance of getting pregnant. Such surgery may increase your risk for certain problems during pregnancy. This problem can be reduced if done by expert gynaecologists. Taking out the entire uterus for fibroids is not a wise choice if you want to get pregnant in the future. One can’t get pregnant after uterus removal. This is the last choice and we do not recommend it unless it affects the quality of life. If you are close to menopause, you could take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief or have fibroid embolization. What are uterine fibroids and when to get treatment? Uterine fibroids are growths inside the uterus, within the uterus’s muscle wall, or on the outer surface of the uterus. Over time, uterine fibroids can change in size, shape, location, and symptoms too. The risk for uterine fibroids increases with the age, especially through menopause. Most have mild or no symptoms. whereas others can have bad pain, bleeding etc. The increased level of hormones estrogen and progesterone make fibroids grow and are seen during reproductive years. After menopause, these hormone levels decrease, so fibroids shrink or disappear. Uterine fibroids usually need treatment when there is Anaemia from heavy fibroid bleeding. Consistent low back pain Trouble in getting pregnant Problems during pregnancy i.e miscarriage or preterm labour. Problems with the urinary tract or bowels. Most of the time experiencing increased menstrual cramping can be a sign of fibroids. Many patients tend to be with symptoms fearing hysterectomy was their only option. Whereas, many treatments are available for treating uterine fibroids now. What is the checklist to think about before choosing fibroid treatments? Will the treatment interferes with your body’s hormones How much time it will take for recovery How effective the treatment will be for reducing symptoms Will it preserve the fertility and uterus? Will the fibroid reappear again? Is it OPD or IPD procedure? Can large or multiple fibroids be treated completely? What are the risks of treatment to health afterwards? How are fibroids treated currently? Uterine fibroids embolization Myomectomy Hysterectomy Laparoscopic procedure Hormone medications What size fibroids need surgery? There isn’t a specific size of fibroid for which surgery is recommended. The need for treatment is largely based on symptoms, location and the number of fibroids, not merely size. Can uterine fibroids be removed with medication? Medications for uterine fibroids are often given to balance the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle, treating symptoms of heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pressure. They don’t remove fibroids but may shrink them. What is the probable medical treatment for Uterine Fibroids? Fibroids without symptoms or not causing any harm do not need treatment. For women whose symptoms are more intense, medicines are used for controlling symptoms, such as: Over-the-counter medications like painkillers for pain relief Iron supplements if you have heavy bleeding and anaemic Low-dose birth control pills and progesterone-like injections, an IUD (intrauterine device) can help control heavy bleeding Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) such as can be given under a doctor’s guidance. When is Surgery performed for uterine fibroids? Sometimes, when symptoms are severe or interfere with daily life or do not respond to medical treatment You’re not near menopause. You don’t plan to get pregnant. There is a risk of cancer. In such cases, preferred surgical options are Myomectomy – selectively removes fibroids leaving healthy uterus tissues intact Hysterectomy – removal of the uterus itself Endometrial ablation – the lining of the uterus is removed to control bleeding Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), or uterine artery embolization (UAE) – is used to block the blood supply to the fibroids, causing them to shrink Mrs Anahita Gokhale,35 yr. software professional walked in at Pearl Women’s Hospital, Deccan Gymkhana clinic, has large uterine fibroids and has had them for a year or so. They didn’t cause any problems until she got pregnant with her first child. She went into labour about a month early, and her daughter had to spend several days in the intensive care unit. She came to us in search of a clinic to have another child. Dr Chaitanya Ganapule has told her about a myomectomy to remove the uterine fibroids from the uterus without large incisions. After the recommended Myomectomy, she had a healthy child and is enjoying the bliss of parenthood with excellent quality of life. Do not suffer in silence if you have any such concerns regarding uterine fibroids. Do talk to us and visit us to know more.
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