Fibroid treatment available online today

The actual causes of fibroids are not known. Current research suggests that each fibroid growth begins as an abnormal muscle cell and can increase in size in response to estrogen hormone levels and activity.

The following factors are associated with uterine fibroids:

• Hormonal: Fibroid tumors are affected by both estrogen and progesterone. It has been observed that uterine fibroids tend to experience more rapid growth during pregnancy when hormone levels are high. Fibroids shrink in response to hormonal medications or when hormone levels decrease, such as after menopause.

• Age: Uterine fibroids can occur at any age after menarche (the first period), but tend to occur most often between 30 - 40 years of age. In older women, most fibroids tend to stop growing or even shrink once a woman reaches menopause.

• Genetics: Fibroids tend to run in families, which suggests there is a genetic cause or predisposition for developing fibroids.

Iron supplements

To help with anemia symptoms such as fatigue and lightheadedness (due to heavy menstrual bleeding), iron supplements may be recommended.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Your doctor may recommend NSAIDS such as ibuprofen or naproxen to help reduce menstrual bleeding caused by fibroids and provide pain relief.

Hormonal medication

• Birth control: Contraceptive hormones in pill, patch or vaginal ring form can help reduce heavy bleeding due to fibroids.

• Progesterone-containing IUDs: Intrauterine devices (IUDs) containing progestin, such as Mirena, Liletta, Kyleena, or Skyla, can be inserted into the uterus during an office visit to help thin the uterine lining and decrease pain and bleeding from fibroids.

• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRH analogs): GnRH analogs are medications that either increase or decrease the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, a naturally occurring substance, in the body. These are prescribed to shrink fibroids, by lowering the estrogen level in the body, mimicking menopause (also known as medical menopause). GnRH analogs are typically used for up to a year.

Myomectomy

For patients who want to get pregnant, myomectomy is the recommended procedure. During myomectomy, the fibroids are removed but the uterus stays intact. There are three myomectomy methods:

Open myomectomy: This myomectomy is performed via an abdominal incision

Laparoscopic or robotic myomectomy: This is a minimally invasive procedure. The myomectomy is performed through small abdominal incisions and a laparoscope. This procedure results in less bleeding and shorter recovery time.

Hysteroscopic myomectomy: This is an outpatient procedure. A camera is inserted through the vagina and cervix, and the doctor removes fibroid tissue that has formed inside the uterine cavity.

Hysterectomy

For some patients with very large fibroids, multiple fibroids, or who have severe symptoms and do not desire any future pregnancies, a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) may be offered.

Other Procedures

Some newer techniques are currently used to treat uterine fibroids in the uterine cavity. However, the long-term effects of these procedures on fertility are not known yet, so t.hey should not be used in women who desire future pregnancies

Radiofrequency ablation: This focused heat (under laparoscopic and ultrasound guidance) is used to make the fibroids smaller and softer.

Uterine artery embolization: This is also called uterine fibroid embolization. An interventional radiologist typically performs uterine artery embolization. Using X-rays for guidance, the radiologist cut off blood flow to the fibroids, causing them to shrink.