Tea fibroid treatment It mainly depends on the amount of trouble that is caused due to its presence. Many women are not even aware of the presence of fibroids unless they are checked by a doctor. Most women also carry a pregnancy easily, although after most surgical options, it is more difficult to carry a pregnancy.
oIf the fibroids are not causing any problems or discomfort, there is no need for any treatment other than regular medical checkups.
oIf fibroids cause pain, heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, or other pregnancy-related problems, surgery may be required. The two most commonly performed types of surgery are hysterectomy and myomectomy.
oIf fibroids appear just before menopause, 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 condition and age of the particular patient:
1. Hysterectomy
2. Myomectomy
3. Hysteroscopic resection
4.embolization
5. Laparoscopic surgery
6. Medications
Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the uterus, usually along with the cervix. This is the most common and permanent cure for fibroids. But a big drawback of this surgery is that a woman cannot be saved pregnant or have 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 may be done if the fibroids are smaller. The uterus can be removed through the vagina instead of the abdomen. The hospital stay for hysterectomy is 2 to 5 days. The patient fully recovers after 6 weeks. For six weeks it is recommended to avoid driving, heavy lifting, sexual intercourse and vigorous exercise. Complications after surgery can be infection, internal bleeding (hemorrhage) requiring blood transfusion, or injury to other pelvic organs such as the bladder, bowel, or ureters.
myomectomy
Myomectomy is a method of removing fibroids without removing the uterus. This surgery allows a woman to have children, but only 50% of women can carry a successful pregnancy after a myomectomy. Myomectomy is performed through an incision in the abdomen with the aid of a laparoscope or
hysteroscope
Risks after surgery include:
o Heavy bleeding may occur. A woman is more likely to need a blood transfusion after a myomectomy than after a hysterectomy.
oScarring may occur that covers the ovaries or blocks one or both fallopian tubes, preventing the tubes from collecting eggs after ovulation.
oSurgery weakens the walls of the uterus. To deliver a baby, the patient has to undergo a C-section as the contraction of labor could tear or rupture the wall.
or infection
o Blood clots in the legs.
oRecurrence of fibroids
For the removal of small fibroids, new types of surgeries are available. The benefits of these options are
oThese options do not require abdominal surgery.
o They may require an overnight hospital stay, but most don’t need a stay at all.
oThey are cheaper and recovery is quick and less painful.
oThey also show better aesthetic results since hardly any stitches are made.
oPatients fully recover in a week or maximum two
hysteroscopic resection
A thin telescope or hysteroscope is inserted through the cervix. Because it allows the surgeon to see inside the uterus, fibroids can be removed with a laser, an electric scalpel, or a wire. It does not require any incision.
The procedure is performed under general or local anesthesia.
embolization
Under this procedure, the fibroids shrink as the blood supply is cut off. Using an X-ray image, a small catheter is inserted through a small incision in the groin into the main arteries that supply blood to the uterus. Small plastic particles are inserted through the catheter to block these blood vessels. Because the smaller arteries are still connected to the uterus, no damage is done. All of this is done under local or general anesthesia. The procedure takes one hour and it is necessary to lie on your back for 6 to 7 hours after surgery to stop bleeding from the incision. It would take a week to fully recover during which some patients have a fever.
Laparoscopic surgery
Under this form of surgery, a pencil-thin surgical telescope called a laparoscope is inserted through one or more tiny incisions in the abdomen to remove fibroids.
o Laparoscopic myomectomy is used for small, easy-to-reach fibroids and an incision is made in the uterus to remove them.
oLaparoscopic myolysis is a procedure used for larger or hard-to-reach fibroids. A laser or electric needle is used to destroy or shrink them.
Medicine
1. Certain drugs called gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH agonists) can also be used to treat fibroids. They indirectly block the production of estrogen which shrinks fibroids. Once the size of the
fibroids are reduced to a third, it is easier to remove them by 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)
The disadvantages and side effects of these drugs are:-
oIf these drugs are taken for more than 6 months, they cause bone loss leading to osteoporosis or joint pain.
Once drug use is stopped, fibroids grow back.
oMost women stop having menstrual periods during the period of drug use.
oThis medication has a similar effect to menopause, therefore it causes all the problems seen during menopause, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, irregular vaginal bleeding, mood swings, and low sexual desire.
2. To reduce heavy bleeding due to fibroids, progestins or androgens are also given as synthetic hormones. But they do not shrink fibroids. Sometimes the GnRH agonist is prescribed in combination with a low dose of estrogen or progestin, which reduces the side effects of GnRH agonists.
