Treatment options for Your Fibroids and Uterine Fibroids Symptoms

There are a number of treatment options for uterine fibroids. In the past, the most common treatment was a hysterectomy. Today, there are many less drastic treatment alternatives to hysterectomy, and women can chose the treatment most suitable for them. When looking at the options available, there are a few factors to consider: Age General health Severity of the symptoms Obstetric history of the patient Location of fibroid(s) in the uterus Fibroids and weight gain

Procedure	What is it?
MR guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery	This is a non-invasive, outpatient procedure for treating uterine fibroids while keeping the uterus intact. This procedure includes: No general anesthesia No cutting No hospital stay 1-3 days home recovery
Hysterectomy	Surgical removal of the uterus. Due to its invasive nature, this procedure requires some time for recovery: Uses general anesthesia 1-2 days post-op in the hospital 4-6 weeks of recovery at home No chance for pregnancy after this procedure.
Abdominal Myomectomy	Removal of one or more of the myomas by an incision made in the abdomen to reach the uterus. The uterus remains intact. Recovery is usually: Uses general anesthesia 2 nights in the hospital 4 weeks of home recovery
Laparoscopic Myomectomy	Removal of fibroids through laparoscopy using 2-3 half-inch incisions. This procedure only works on small fibroids. Uterus remains intact. Recovery: Uses general anesthesia No hospital stay 1-2 weeks home recovery
Hysteroscopic Myomectomy	Removal of uterine fibroids by inserting a hysteroscope through the vagina and the cervix into the uterus. Uterus remains intact. Recovery: Use of general anesthesia No hospital stay 1-3 days home recovery
Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Myomectomy (LAVM)	LAVM combines laparoscopic myomectomy with a vaginal incision for fibroid removal. Recovery: Uses general anesthesia Up to 48 hours hospital stay Up to 1 week home recovery
Laparoscopic Myomectomy with Mini-Laparotomy	Laparoscopic Myomectomy with Mini-Laparotomy allows for the removal of slightly larger myomas than what the laparoscope alone can handle and generally includes a relatively small incision of 3 inches or less in the abdomen. Recovery: Uses general anesthesia Up to 48 hours hospital stay 1-2 weeks home recovery
Robot-Assisted Myomectomy or Robotic Myomectomy	A minimally invasive procedure that uses laparoscopic myomectomy through small: "keywhole" incisions and reduces patient's recovery time. Uses general anesthesia Up to 48 hours hospital stay 2-6 weeks home recovery
Laser Treatment for Uterine Fibroids	Combines MR imaging, or Laparoscopic myolisis with lasers to cut off blood supply to the fibroids. Uses general anesthesia No hospital stay Up to 1 week home recovery This treatment may lead to skin burns
Uterine Artery Embolization	The uterine artery is injected with polyvinyl alcohol beads, with a catheter, which block the flow of blood to the fibroids and cause necrosis. No general anesthesia No hospital stay 1 -2 weeks home recovery
Alternative Treatments	Non-invasive treatment options for uterine fibroids such as hormone therapy, oral therapies, herbal treatments, homeopathic & holistic treatments
Watchful Waiting	No treatment. Monitoring for any progression of symptoms.