Best Treatments for Fibroid Pain

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors that develop in the uterine muscle tissue. While this illness is relatively common, affecting 20-70% of women, and is not malignant, it can cause pain and other unpleasant symptoms in some women, including:

• Digestive issues (e.g., constipation)

• Pain during or after sex 

• Incontinence and frequent urination

• Low back or pelvic pain or pressure 

• Painful periods/abnormal bleeding

  
  

The board-certified doctor will provide you with skilled fibroids diagnosis and treatment.

To begin, it's important to remember that the majority of women who develop fibroids have no symptoms. If your doctor tells you that you have fibroids but that the tumors aren't creating any problems, you don't require fibroids treatment. 

Effective remedies, on the other hand, can help ladies suffering from pain, discomfort, or other troubling symptoms. Non-invasive to invasive operations are among the therapies available. Take a closer look:

Medications

For minor pain, your clinician may offer over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. They may recommend hormonal birth control tablets, an intrauterine device (IUD), or an iron supplement (to avoid anemia) for severe bleeding.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agents (GnRHa) are another prominent treatment for fibroids. These drugs may help shrink fibroids in some women, but they can also induce unpleasant side effects such as hot flashes, joint pain, decreased libido, and sleeplessness. 

Endometrial ablation

The lining of your uterus is injured with this minimally invasive therapy, which employs a laser, electric currents, cables, and other techniques. It is normally performed as an outpatient surgery, and complications are uncommon. This treatment is not recommended for women who plan to become pregnant soon. 

Myolysis

This minimally invasive surgery is typically performed laparoscopically to shrink fibroids with the use of electricity, laser, cold temperatures (freezing), or high-frequency ultrasound. It is typically indicated for women who have a few minor fibroids and do not intend to have children in the future.

Myomectomy

The fibroids in the uterus are removed surgically while the uterus remains intact. It could be recommended for women who want to have children in the future. While this treatment is efficient at removing the fibroids, recurrence is common. 

It can be done using traditional surgical methods (a large abdominal incision), laparoscopically with small incisions and sophisticated equipment, or vaginally using a hysteroscopy. The type of myomectomy you have is chosen by the type of fibroids, their size, and their location. 

Hysterectomy

This significant procedure permanently eliminates your uterus, ending monthly bleeding and other fibroid-related symptoms. You cannot, however, have children following a hysterectomy, and depending on the type of hysterectomy, you may experience vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and other symptoms. 

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)

Safe and efficient UFE is a non-surgical fibroid treatment that causes fibroids to shrink by cutting off their blood supply. Your doctor puts a tiny catheter into the blood artery to feel for the fibroid, then inserts microscopic particles to obstruct blood flow. 

According to research, at least 85% of women see a significant improvement in their symptoms and general quality of life. Although complications are uncommon, they can include incision site bleeding and infection. 

The outpatient treatment requires only a minor incision and usually takes no more than 90 minutes. The procedure is most effective on fibroids that aren't too large, and it isn't recommended for women who plan to have children in the future. 

Determine which fibroid treatment is right for you

Meeting with a fibroid expert is the best approach to learn which treatment is appropriate for your symptomatic fibroids. 

To determine the best treatment for your requirements, your physician asks you questions, examines your symptoms, physical health, fertility status, and medical history, and does a physical exam and imaging examinations. 

When selecting a fibroid therapy, it is critical to examine a variety of aspects. For example, your doctor might assume:

• The severity of your symptoms

• Whether you want to become pregnant 

• Your age and proximity to menopause

• The size and location of your fibroids

  
  

Keeping these considerations in mind, your provider collaborates with you to develop a specific treatment plan for your fibroids.