While it may be surprising to hear, choosing fibroid removal is not always something women feel the need to do right away after a fibroid diagnosis. Perhaps you feel the same way? For instance, you may not be experiencing any pain or fibroid symptoms. It could be that you only became aware of your fibroids during a routine OBGYN exam, and you and your doctor agree that it is fine not to rush to a decision right away. Maybe it is not either of those things—you have symptoms during your periods, but none are interfering with daily life. You think, “I can live with this.”
All these scenarios and thought processes are certainly valid. That said, not every woman wants to or can choose to wait. Like any medical condition, if left untreated, growing fibroids can worsen your symptoms. They can keep you from enjoying your daily activities. They can cause you to call in sick and miss work. They can lead to sleepless nights and concern. If this happens, you can’t enjoy your life fully or feel like yourself.
The good news is that you can do something about your fibroids right now. And the earlier you look into your options, the easier and more effective fibroid removal can be. Remember: Knowledge is empowerment, and our team at the Fibroid Institute wants to help you get there.
Why Fibroid Pain and Symptoms Can Get Worse
For many women, it may be possible to keep a watchful eye on their existing fibroids rather than rush to a decision on what to do next. In some cases, they may never have to do anything. But for the rest of us, fibroid removal is a necessary reality. And here’s why. Uterine fibroids are among the most common gynecologic conditions, affecting approximately 70% of White women and 80% of Black women between the age of 35 and 54. However, fibroids can occur in women younger than 35 and until menopause. These non-cancerous tumors develop from your uterus’ muscle tissue and tend not to stay the same size. They also multiply. This fibroid growth pattern can be caused by several factors, but the most significant is hormones.
According to the Office on Women’s Health, estrogen and progesterone stimulate the development of the uterine lining during each menstrual cycle in preparation for pregnancy. This is why fibroid removal is so important. What were at first minor symptoms or no symptoms become increasingly painful as fibroids grow and either become twisted or begin to press against organs.
The result is fibroids causing varying number of life-interrupting symptoms:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Weight gain
- Debilitating cramps, pelvic pain, and pressure
- Periods that last longer than a week
- Pain during sex
- Back or leg pain
- Difficulty urinating or urinary frequency
- Bowel or bladder dysfunction
- Excessive fatigue
- Abdominal bloating and swelling
If these symptoms are not troubling enough, delaying choosing a fibroid removal option can lead to additional issues including infertility, pregnancy complications (including miscarriages), anemia from heavy and irregular menstrual bleeding, and even urinary tract infections.
Uterine fibroids are among the most common gynecologic conditions, affecting approximately 70% of White women and 80% of Black women between the age of 35 and 54.
What Size Fibroids Need to Be Removed?
Any size. And if possible, all of them. A key point to remember is that fibroids not only increase in size and number. They can grow in more places in and around the uterus than you might realize.
- Inside the uterine walls — These fibroids are called intramural fibroids, and they account for 70% of all uterine fibroids. Simply put, they are the most common, affecting one in four women of childbearing age.
- Just underneath the uterine lining — These are known as submucosal fibroids. Some women notice heavy bleeding during menstruation and increased abdominal pain from this type of fibroid.
- Outside the uterus — You may hear your doctor mention subserosal fibroids. These are more likely to affect surrounding organs, such as the bladder, bowels, and abdomen.
- On a long stalk — Pedunculated fibroids are unique-looking and can grow inside or outside the uterus. These are more likely to cause abdominal pain due to obstruction of the uterus and surrounding organs.
The location, size, and weight of these fibroids can increase your symptoms. Depending on your unique situation, you may have one or more of these fibroid types.
When Do I Need to Seek Fibroid Treatment?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to fibroid treatment. The right time to seek treatment depends on several factors, including the severity of your symptoms, the size and location of your fibroids, how quickly they are growing, your future fertility goals, and the impact fibroids are having on your daily life.
While some women can safely monitor their fibroids with routine follow-up care, others may benefit from treatment sooner to prevent worsening symptoms and potential complications. A fibroid specialist can help you evaluate your options and determine the best approach based on your individual needs and long-term goals.
What Are Common Fibroid Removal Options?
As previously stated, it is very common for a gynecologist to spot abnormal changes in your uterus’ shape during a routine exam. They can also use your family history, symptoms, and ultrasound or MRI results to determine for sure whether you have fibroids and where they are located. Once you have a diagnosis, your doctor may recommend one of the following:
- Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) — UFE is unique because it does not involve physically removing fibroids in the same way surgery would. Instead, it is a minimally invasive procedure that cuts off blood flow to all fibroids, causing them to shrink and die. UFE is low risk, has no incision, is faster than some other options, and an alternative to surgery. Continue reading below for more details about UFE.
- Hysterectomy — The opposite yet also effective fibroid removal option is hysterectomy. It is still widely used today; However, it is an invasive surgical procedure that many women prefer to avoid. With a hysterectomy, all or part of a woman’s uterus is removed. In some cases, her fallopian tubes and ovaries are removed, too. It takes a longer time to heal from this surgery, and hysterectomy can lead to additional hormonal changes, alterations in sexual feelings and sensations, and a higher risk for heart disease.
- Myomectomy — Like a hysterectomy, a myomectomy is also a surgical procedure that must be carefully considered. The goal is to remove uterine fibroids while preserving the uterus. It is the procedure of choice for women who want to get pregnant. However, it eliminates the ability to have a vaginal birth in the future. Many gynecologists insist on a C-section after myomectomy. The size and location of the fibroids determine how this surgery is performed.
- Acessa — With this procedure, a small probe is placed into a fibroid and heated to destroy it. This procedure is suitable if you have only a few fibroids. If you have multiple large fibroids or fibroids that are hard to get to, Acessa is not a good choice. It is also not covered by some insurance companies.
- Endometrial ablation — Typically, the uterus’ inside lining is where heavy bleeding originates. With endometrial ablation, this lining can be removed by placing a thin instrument into the uterus through the cervix and using heat, laser, electricity, microwaves, or freezing. The downside to endometrial ablation is that it is not safe to get pregnant after you’ve had it. In addition, it will not eliminate fibroid growth.
- Sonata System — This incision-less fibroid removal option is effective for patients with one or several fibroids. Using an intrauterine ultrasound device, radiofrequency energy is delivered to the fibroid to shrink the fibroid. As the fibroid shrinks, the patient can see a reduction in painful symptoms. As a relatively newer option, some patients in online forums have reported difficulty in finding a local Sonata provider.
- Medications — For less severe fibroids and vaginal bleeding, your doctor can discuss medications such as hormonal treatments to shrink fibroids or reduce heavy menstrual bleeding. For example, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists can temporarily shrink fibroids by lowering estrogen levels, providing relief from symptoms while patients decide on their long-term treatment options. Additionally, non-hormonal medications like tranexamic acid or NSAIDs can help control bleeding and pain without surgery.
UFE vs. Surgery Comparison Table
| Factor | UFE | Myomectomy | Hysterectomy |
| Incision | No | Yes | Yes |
| Hospital Stay | Usually none | Often required | Often required |
| Treats Multiple Fibroids | Yes | Depends | Yes |
| Uterus Preserved | Yes | Yes | No |
| Recovery Time | Days | Weeks | Weeks |
It is worth noting although the term “fibroid removal” is commonly used by women searching for relief, not all treatments physically remove fibroids. For example, procedures such as uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) work by blocking blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink over time rather than surgically removing them.
Why Is UFE Regarded as the Gold-Standard in Non-Surgical Fibroid Treatment?
Women who qualify for UFE love it for several reasons. At the top of that list is that it doesn’t involve surgery. With UFE, X-ray guidance locates the vessels that supply blood to your fibroids. Small particles are injected into the vessels, blocking the blood flow to the fibroids. With no further blood flow, fibroids shrink and die. And with that comes many more benefits, including no hospital stay, no incision, and a much quicker recovery time—all while ridding you of your fibroid symptoms. The procedure will last about one hour, and you will be asleep during it. You can resume light activities as soon as you feel up to it. Most women return to work in 7-10 days.
According to interventional radiology guidelines, approximately 90% of women undergoing UFE experience significant improvement in bulk symptoms, and more than 90% report improvement in abnormal uterine bleeding. This includes less pelvic pain and lighter cycles. UFE is low-risk and a viable alternative to surgery for many women. As a result, more women every day, in consultation with their doctor, are choosing this as their preferred treatment option.
Why Review ALL Your Fibroid Removal Options?
While we believe in the UFE procedure, it is important that you seek a second opinion on your fibroid removal options. This is especially true if you don’t agree with the recommended fibroid removal given. For instance, your doctor may suggest a hysterectomy, yet you may qualify for another option that is equally effective and aligns with your goals and wishes. The bottom line is that every woman’s body, symptoms, and long-term goals are different, and the treatment that works best for one patient may not be the right fit for another.
A qualified fibroid specialist such as an interventional radiologist can review your imaging results, evaluate the size and location of your fibroids, and discuss how each treatment option might affect your health, fertility, recovery time, and overall quality of life. Taking the time to ask questions and fully understand your choices ensures that you can move forward with confidence.
When you feel informed and supported, you are in a much better position to choose a treatment path that aligns with your needs, your lifestyle, and your future.
According to interventional radiology guidelines, approximately 90% of women undergoing UFE experience significant improvement in bulk symptoms, and more than 90% report improvement in abnormal uterine bleeding.
Fibroid Removal Doesn’t Always Require Surgery. Ask Us for Help!
Do you have questions about your fibroid removal options? These are important discussions to have sooner rather than later. It may be that your fibroids aren’t causing any complications right now. And if so, that’s great. But that doesn’t always remain the case. Fibroids can multiply, grow, and expand. And when they do, the accompanying symptoms usually worsen. This is why fibroid removal is being offered to you. The good news is that surgery is not the only option. Other choices, like UFE, can rid you of your fibroids and symptoms with less downtime and an improved outlook on the road ahead.
Whether UFE is the right option for you or not, our team of fibroid doctors is always on hand to partner with you and your primary care physician to determine the best course of action. At Fibroid Institute, we do not believe you need to decide between suffering in silence and having invasive surgery.
Get started now by calling our Dallas, Texas clinics at 214-838-6440, Houston, Texas clinics at 713-903-3733, South Carolina clinics at 843-628-4290 or complete the form below.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Fibroid Removal
Before starting any new treatment or if you have questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
The Fibroid Institute serves the Charleston, South Carolina, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas and Greater Houston, Texas metro areas including Addison, Allen, Arlington, Bedford, Bellaire, Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Charleston, Clear Lake, Cockrell Hill, Conroe, Craig Ranch, Cypress, Dallas, DeSoto, Duncanville, Euless, Fort Worth, Frisco, Garland, Grand Prairie, Highland Park, Houston, Hurst, Hutchins, Irving, Katy, Kingwood, Lancaster, League City, McKinney, Mesquite, Mt. Pleasant, Murrells Inlet, Orangeburg, Park Cities, Plano, Richardson, Sherman, Spring, Stafford, Sugar Land, Summerville, Texas City, The Woodlands, Universal City, University Park, Walterboro, Webster and more.
*Patient names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.
