Fibroid Treatment Without Surgery

I’m Dr. Amita Shah, Senior Consultant Gynecologist and Laparoscopic Surgeon from Gurgaon.

Does every fibroid need treatment, and is surgery the only option?

Today, I’m going to discuss these questions.

What is a Fibroid Uterus?

A fibroid develops in the uterus, resembling a kind of knot, and is classified as a benign tumour, which means it is generally not cancerous. However, in rare cases, they can become cancerous.

So, what exactly is a fibroid, and why does it occur? Research is still ongoing to understand the exact causes of fibroid development.

In some cases, fibroids may develop due to genetic or racial factors. If your mother, aunt, or sister has had fibroids, your chances of developing them yourself might be higher. Fibroids are also more common among Black individuals. Additionally, hormone-related factors, such as not having children or having few children, can increase the likelihood of developing fibroids.

Fibroids can be very different in size. They can be as tiny as a pea or as large as a football. Despite this range in size, not all fibroids need to be treated. About 50% of fibroids don’t cause any noticeable symptoms. If a fibroid isn’t causing any problems or symptoms, it usually doesn’t need treatment.

So, which types of fibroids need treatment?

You may need treatment if your fibroids are large, usually around 4-5 cm or bigger, or if they are causing significant symptoms or health problems.

What are the symptoms of fibroids?

In cases of fibroid conditions, women may experience various symptoms simultaneously, but the exact symptoms and their severity may vary among individuals.

Some of the common symptoms of fibroid condition are listed below:

Changes in the Menstrual Cycle:

• Irregular periods (menstrual disorder).
• Excessive bleeding (abnormal flow).
• Longer duration than usual menstrual cycle.
• Presence of blood clots during periods.

Other Menstrual Symptoms:

• Irregular periods.
• Abnormal pain during menstruation.

Problems due to fertility?

Due to fibroid condition, one may face infertility problems. In cases of large fibroids, one may face compression symptoms. One may face obstruction or frequent urination if the compression is more towards the front side. If the compression is more towards the backside, one may face constipation problems.

When Fibroids are small but need treatment?

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths in the uterus that can vary in size. Even if they are small, treatment might still be necessary depending on their location and impact. Here’s when treatment becomes important:

• Submucosal Fibroids: These fibroids are located on the inner wall of the uterus, in the cavity where a fetus would grow during pregnancy. If a submucosal fibroid is protruding into this cavity, it can cause issues like heavy menstrual bleeding or difficulty getting pregnant. Even small submucosal fibroids, as small as 1 cm or 2 cm, may need treatment because they can significantly impact fertility and uterine function.

• Intramural Fibroids: Intramural fibroids grow within the muscular wall of the uterus. If these fibroids press on the uterine cavity, they can cause symptoms such as pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, or problems with the uterus’s ability to expand properly during pregnancy. Treatment may be necessary if these fibroids cause significant discomfort or affect the function of the uterus.

• Fibroids on the Outer Surface: Fibroids that grow towards the outer surface of the uterus and are not large generally do not require treatment unless they cause symptoms or complications. These fibroids are often less likely to impact fertility or cause significant discomfort than submucosal and intramural fibroids.

Understanding the type and location of fibroids is crucial in determining the appropriate treatment. Consulting with a healthcare provider will help decide whether treatment is needed based on individual symptoms and health conditions.

Types of Treatment for Fibroid Removal

Let’s look at the treatment of fibroids and the available options.

As mentioned earlier, if fibroids do not exhibit any symptoms and are very small, they can be monitored through regular ultrasound checks every six months to a year to track their growth.

• Medical Management

The first treatment option is medical management, which involves taking medication. Unlike surgery, medicines don’t completely remove fibroids immediately. Instead, they work to gradually shrink the fibroids over time. It’s important to note that these medications are prescribed only to certain patients and must be approved by a doctor.

• Myomectomy

The second surgical option for treating fibroids is called myomectomy. The word ‘myomectomy’ comes from ‘myoma,’ which means fibroids (non-cancerous tumours in the uterus), and ‘ectomy,’ which means removal. So, myomectomy is a procedure to remove these fibroids from the uterus.

Myomectomy is used when other treatments, like medication, don’t work or aren’t appropriate.

• Hysterectomy

In some cases where a patient has children and doesn’t want to go for pregnancy anymore, or if the patient’s age is above 45-50 years, we advise uterus removal along with fibroid removal. This surgery is known as hysterectomy. The reason why laparoscopic surgeons go for hysterectomy surgery is because even after myomectomy, there are chances of fibroid re-occurrence.

Conclusion

The treatment for fibroids depends on several medical factors. Choosing the right treatment—whether it’s medication, myomectomy (surgery to remove fibroids), or hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus)—depends on a thorough clinical evaluation and the doctor’s recommendations.

Assessing both pre-and post-surgery conditions, laparoscopy is considered one of the best treatments for removing fibroids.

To know how to shrink fibroid naturally, visit here.

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