The treatment of fibroids depends primarily on the amount of trouble that is caused due to their presence. Many women do not even get to know the presence of fibroids unless they undergo some medical check up.Most women also carry a pregnancy easily though after most surgical options ,it is more difficult to carry a pregnancy.
oIf fibroids are not causing problems and discomfort there is no need for any treatment other than regular medical checkups.
oIf the fibroids cause pain, heavy or lengthy menstrual bleeding, or other pregnancy related problems, a surgery may be required. The two kinds of surgery most commonly performed are hysterectomy and myomectomy.
oIf the fibroids appear just before menopause then medication or simple surgery can be used to shrink them as they shrink naturally during menopause.
There are many treatment options available depending on the particular patients condition and age:
1.Hysterectomy
2.Myomectomy
3.Hysteroscopic resection
4.Embolization
5.Laparoscopic surgery
6.Medication
Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the uterus,usually along with the cervix.This is the most common and permanent cure of fibroids. But a big drawback of this surgery is that a woman cannot ecome pregnant or carry a baby after this surgery. This option is only considered if the fibroids are too large. A hysterectomy is performed by making an incision in the abdomen. Sometimes the ovaries are also removed along with the uterus and cervix. The decision to remove the ovaries depends on how close the woman is to menopause or if the ovaries are diseased.
Vaginal hysterectomy or Laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomy can be performed if fibroids are smaller in size, The uterus can be removed through the vagina instead of the abdomen. The hospital stay for hysterectomy is 2-5 days. The patient fully recovers after 6 week. For six weeks it is advisable to avoid driving,heavy lifting,sexual intercourse and vigorous exercise. Complications after the surgery could be infection,internal bleeding (hemorrhage) needing blood transfusion or injury to other pelvic organs such as the bladder, bowel, or ureters.
Myomectomy
Myomectomy is a method to remove fibroids without removing the uterus. This surgery allows the woman to bear children, but only 50% women can carry a successful pregnancy after a myomectomy. Myomectomy is performed through an incision in the abdomen with the assistance of a laparoscope or
hysteroscope.
Risks after the surgery include:
oHeavy bleeding can occur. A woman is more likely to need a blood transfusion after a myomectomy than after a hysterectomy.
oScarring can occur covering the ovaries or blocking one or both of the fallopian tubes which does not allow the tubes to pick up the eggs after ovulation.
oThe surgery weakens the uterus walls.For delivery of a baby the patient has to go through a cesarean section as labor contraction could tear or rupture the wall.
oInfection
oBlood clots in the legs.
oReoccurrence of fibroids
For removal of small fibroids newer kinds of surgeries are available. The benefits of these options are
oThese options do not require abdominal surgery.
oThey could require an overnight hospital stay but mostly no stay is needed at all.
oThey are cheaper and recovery is quick and less painful.
oThey also show better cosmetic results as barely any stitches are made.
oPatients recover completely within one week or maximum two
Hysteroscopic resection
A thin telescope or hysteroscope is inserted through the cervix. As it allows the surgeon to see inside the uterus, the fibroids can be removed using a laser, electrical knife or wire. It does not require any incision.
The procedure is performed under general or local anesthesia.
Embolization
Under this procedure the fibroids are made to shrink as the blood supply is cut off. Using an X-ray image, a small catheter is threaded through a tiny incision in the groin into the main arteries that supply blood to the uterus. Small particles of plastic are inserted through the catheter to block these blood vessels. Because smaller arteries continue to be connected to the uterus, there is no damage caused. This is all done under local or general anesthesia. The procedure takes an hour.It is necessary to lie flat on the back for 6-7 hours after the surgery to stop the bleeding from the incision. It would take a week to recover completely during which some patients have fever.
Laparoscopic surgery
Under this form of surgery a pencil-thin surgical telescope called laparoscope is inserted through one or more tiny incisions in the abdomen to remove the fibroids.
o Laparoscopic myomectomy is used for small and easy to reach fibroids and an incision in the uterus is made to remove them.
oLaparoscopic myolysis is a procedure used for bigger or difficult to reach fibroids. A laser or electric needle is used to destroy or shrink them.
Medication
1. Certain drugs called Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists (GnRH agonists) can also be used to treat fibroids.They indirectly block production of estrogen which shrinks the fibroids. Once the size of the
fibroids is reduced to one thirds,it is easier to remove them through vaginal hysterectomy or laparoscopic surgery ,rather than abdominal surgery which is more complicated. It can also be used for women close to menopause as fibroids shrink naturally after menopause. It is available as Lupron (leuprolide),Synarel (nafarelin) and Zoladex (goserelin)
Disadvantages and side effects of these drugs are:-
oIf these drugs are consumed for more than 6 months, it causes bone loss leading to osteoporosis or joint pain.
oOnce the drug consumption stops, the fibroids grow back.
oMost women stop having menstrual periods during the period of drug consumption.
oThis drug has a similar effect as menopause, hence causes all problems that are seen during menopause such as Hot flashes,vaginal dryness ,irregular vaginal bleeding ,mood swings and low sex drive
2.To reduce heavy bleeding due to fibroids, Progestogen or Androgens are also given as synthetic hormones. But they do not shrink the fibroids. Sometimes GnRH agonist is prescribed in combination with a low dose of estrogen or progestogen, which reduces the side effects of GnRH agonists.