Surgical Procedures
According to the Mayo Clinic, the only way to remove uterine fibroids effectively and prevent them from coming back is through a procedure known as a hysterectomy, which involves the complete removal of the uterus. Another less invasive and less serious procedure is a myomectomy, which involves removing the fibroids through the abdomen, which can be accomplished using open surgery or with a laparascopic camera. If the fibroids are found deep in the uterus, a small camera known as a hysteroscope may be inserted into the vagina to reach the uterus where they can then be removed. Finally, focused ultrasound surgery is a form of noninvasive surgery that requires an MRI to locate the fibroids then destroy them from within using high-frequency sound waves. All surgical options come with risks, and therefore all other possible methods of treatment should be considered before deciding.
Other Procedures
A number of other procedures exist to treat uterine fibroids that don't involve surgery. These include:
Myolysis, which is a laparascopic procedure that involves the use of an electrical current to destroy the fibroids or, conversely, liquid nitrogen to freeze them (cryomyolysis). According to the Mayo Clinic; the safety of these procedures is under debate.
Endometrial ablation, which involves heating up and destroying the lining of the uterus. Unfortunately, this cold potentially end menstruation, and it is not effective on fibroids located on the lining found inside the uterus.
Uterine artery embolization, which involves shrinking the fibroids by injecting embolic agents to cut off the flow of blood to the fibroids, and reducing their size as a result. According to womenshealth.gov, this is an effective treatment for those who would rather not have invasive surgery and would prefer not to have children in the future, as early menopause is a possibility.
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