When you have uterine fibroids, the common symptoms of pelvic cramping, abnormal bleeding and heavy periods can make you feel downright miserable. Gynecologists and surgeons at Sutter Santa Rosa offer a variety of therapeutic and minimally invasive treatments to help you feel better.
Depending on the size, location and severity of your fibroids, your doctor may suggest trying different therapeutic options to manage your symptoms before considering surgical removal. Your doctor may prescribe birth control pills or suggest implanting an intrauterine device (IUD) to balance the levels of estrogen and progestin in your body. This can help control heavy bleeding and pain. Hormone therapy shots and pain relieving medications may also be prescribed.
Most minimally invasive surgical procedures on the reproductive system are done via laparoscopy or hysteroscopy, both of which are viable treatment options for uterine fibroids. During these procedures, fibroids are treated using cryosurgery, lasers and other techniques that destroy the benign tumors. Making incisions in the uterine wall and removing the fibroids surgically, called myomectomy, can also be done, and is often the surgical procedure of choice for women who still wish to become pregnant.
If there are simply too many fibroids in the uterus, your doctor may recommend a hysterectomy to remove your uterus completely. This can be done laparoscopically through small incisions in your abdomen, or vaginally by making an incision in your vagina to access and remove the uterus. If these minimally invasive procedures aren’t an option, your doctor will likely remove the uterus through a large incision in your lower abdomen.
Talk to your doctor to determine the best treatment option for your specific situation.
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