As a woman, your childbearing years may come with noncancerous growths that may never develop into cancer but can enlarge and distort your uterus. You may have single or multiple fibroids, which may fail to show symptoms. During one of your visits to Alate Health for a pelvic exam, your doctor can detect one of these noncancerous growths and recommend a treatment option to eliminate them. You can benefit from minimally invasive procedures that will not require large incisions but will eliminate fibroids effectively. However, fibroids can grow again if treatment does not involve removing the uterus. You can learn about five minimally invasive procedures to remove fibroids in the discussion below.
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Uterine Artery Embolization
The treatment involves injecting embolic agents into arteries that supply blood to the uterus. As a result, there will be no blood flowing to your fibroids, causing them to shrink and die eventually. Embolization will effectively shrink fibroids, thus relieving accompanying symptoms. However, complications may arise if the blood supply to your ovaries is compromised.
Radiofrequency Ablation
The procedure uses radiofrequency energy to destroy fibroids, including blood supply from blood vessels feeding them. During this procedure, your doctor will make two cuts in your abdomen and insert a laparoscope with a camera. The devices will help in locating your fibroids. After finding the fibroids, a special needle will send several needles that heat the fibroid to destroy them. The fibroids will stop hardening and turn almost as soft as a marshmallow, and in the next few months, they will shrink. You can resume normal activities after a week as the fibroids continue to shrink.
Laparoscopic Robotic Myomectomy
During this procedure, your doctor will use surgical instruments to remove uterine fibroids without interfering with your uterus. The method will work well if you have a few fibroids where your doctor will insert thin instruments through cuts in your abdomen to remove them. Larger fibroids, on the other hand, may require breaking the fibroids into small pieces inside a surgical bag and then taking them out. The advantage of this procedure is that your doctor will get a 3-dimensional view of your uterus, thus allowing for clear visibility and flexibility.
Endometrial Ablation
Treatment with this method will involve using a special instrument that your doctor inserts into the uterus to destroy your uterus lining. The instrument will use heat or electric current to reduce or end menstrual flow, thus stopping abnormal bleeding. You may not get pregnant after an endometrial ablation, but you will need birth control to prevent an ectopic pregnancy.
Hysteroscopic Myomectomy
You may require this procedure if you have fibroids inside your uterus, otherwise known as submucosal fibroids. Your doctor will pass specialized instruments through your vagina and cervix to reach your uterus. Carefully and precisely, your doctor will access the fibroids and then remove them so you can get relief from accompanying fibroid symptoms.
Any woman can develop fibroids at any age during their childbearing years. Even though they are not dangerous, they may cause heavy bleeding during menstrual periods, forcing you to change pads frequently. However, you can live a life free from fibroids with minimally invasive treatment. Since the procedures do not require large incisions, you will resume regular activities in a few days.
