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Surgical removal of the uterus. Expect a hospital stay and a recovery period. |
Fibroids never come back because the uterus is removed. |
Reproductive potential is lost. Recovery time is typically 4-6 weeks. Other complications possible. |
| Abdominal myomectomy |
Removal of one or more of the fibroids with open abdominal surgery. |
Preserves the uterus and cervix and allows pregnancy. |
A re-occurrence of the fibroid symptoms is possible if new fibroids grow. Recovery time is typically 2-4 weeks. Some complications possible. |
| Laparoscopic myomectomy or hysteroscopic myomectomy |
One or more of the fibroids are removed using laparoscopic or endoscopic techniques. |
Less invasive than open abdominal myomectomy, fibroids can be removed via abdominal endoscope or the cervix/vagina. |
Not suitable for larger, multiple, or deep fibroids.
Recovery time is typically 1-4 weeks. Some complications possible.
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| Hormone therapy |
GnRH drug treatment causes fibroid shrinkage. |
Non-surgical conservative method of fibroid treatment. |
Treatment is only effective for 6-12 months. Causes menopausal symptoms. May result in rapid return of symptoms after stopping treatment. |
| Uterine artery embolisation |
The uterine artery is injected with polyvinyl alcohol beads, with a catheter, which block the flow of blood to the fibroids and cause necrosis. |
Symptom relief with shorter hospital stay than hysterectomy or myomectomy. |
Risks include premature menopause, serious infection, bleeding and embolisation of other than the fibroid(s). Strong pain during first two days often experienced. |
| Watchful waiting |
No treatment. Monitoring for any progression of symptoms. |
Sometimes fibroid symptoms diminish with menopause. |
Fibroids can continue to grow with an increase in symptoms. Fibroids beyond a certain size may not be treatable with minimally invasive techniques. |
| MR guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery |
Non-invasive outpatient treatment to reduce the size of the fibroids. |
Requires no hospital stay or general anaesthesia, with quick return to normal activities. Preserves uterus and cervix. |
Untreated fibroid tissue or new fibroids may grow. |
