Treating uterine fibroids
If you have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, the experts at The Christ Hospital Health Network can provide you the most effective treatment. We work with you to create a customized treatment plan that meets your needs and lifestyle.
Because fibroids may not cause symptoms in some women, treatment may not be required. Fibroids can grow and shrink over time with hormone changes, so your doctor may take a "wait and see" approach when your fibroids are discovered. Your doctor will then monitor you closely to watch for changes in the fibroids.
For those women who do require treatment for uterine fibroids, it may include:
Hormonal birth control—these medications control heavy bleeding and painful periods, making them an option for women whose main symptom is heavy menstrual bleeding.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH)—These medications keep the body from making hormones that cause women to ovulate and have their periods
These treatments usually provide temporary relief from symptoms.
Surgery
When non-surgical treatments are not an option, your doctor may suggest
surgery. Sometimes misperceptions about surgery and recovery times prevent women from having a procedure they really need. That's why it's important talk with your gynecologist and get the facts.
Our women's health specialists can help you manage your fears and anxieties about gynecologic surgery. We specialize in minimally invasive procedures that offer minimal pain, low levels of complications and fast recovery times, so you can get back to what you enjoy doing sooner.
Surgical treatments that may be recommended for uterine fibroids include:
Hysterectomy—surgery to remove the uterus (womb)
Myomectomy—removes fibroids
Uterine embolization—minimally invasive procedure that blocks blood supply to fibroids
Minimally invasive reduction of fibroid size
Our experts now offer minimally invasive options to reduce the size of fibroids without having to remove them. In many cases, reduction of fibroid size is proven to reduce and often eliminate correlating symptoms. These procedures keep the uterus intact, so they preserve fertility for women who still intend to have children. Because they are minimally invasive, they require little downtime, allowing you to quickly get back to your day-to-day life.
Surgeons have two minimally invasive options for shrinking fibroids. Your specific procedure is determined by the location of the fibroids. Both use ultrasound guidance to navigate and locate the fibroids, and targeted radiofrequency ablation to treat the them. The two options are:
Leading-edge facilities
At The Christ Hospital Health Network, we have an innovative Women’s Surgery Center designed specifically for women. Our Center features spacious operating rooms, the da Vinci surgical system for robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery, and telemedicine technology for real-time, remote consultations with pathologists.
Find a
Women’s Health doctor who specializes in uterine fibroids.