Surgery may be needed to destroy or remove fibroids to ease symptoms.
A hysterectomy may be done in women who do not plan on having children. This removes the uterus and fibroids. Some women also choose to remove their ovaries. This starts menopause.
Pregnancy is not possible after this surgery.
Myomectomy removes fibroids, but does not remove the uterus. Pregnancy is still be possible.
It can be done in more than one way. The way that is chosen depends on the size and location of the fibroids. Options are:
- Abdominal myomectomy—uses a large cut to remove large, deep fibroids
- Laparoscopic myomectomy—uses small cuts and tools to remove fibroids that are small and easy to reach
- Laparoscopic myomectomy with mini-laparotomy—uses a mix of the above methods to remove larger fibroids on the surface of the uterus
- Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal myomectomy (LAVM)—uses a mix of the above methods to remove fibroids that can be reached through the vagina
- Hysteroscopic myomectomy—uses a scope inserted through the vagina and cervix to remove fibroids inside the uterus
During this procedure, a catheter is inserted into an artery in the groin and guided into the uterus. Contrast material and X-rays are used to guide the process. Small particles are then injected to block the blood supply to the fibroids. This causes them to shrink and die.
This procedure shrinks fibroids using heat from high frequency electrical current or laser devices. The devices are usually inserted through small cuts and guided by a scope.
References
Uterine fibroids. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. Available at: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/uterine-fibroids. Accessed May 9, 2022.
Uterine fibroids fact sheet. Women's Health—US Department of Health and Human Services website. Available at: https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/uterine-fibroids. Accessed May 9, 2022.
Uterine leiomyoma. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/uterine-leiomyoma. Accessed May 9, 2022.