Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths found in the uterus usually during the childbearing years. These don’t hint at a higher risk of uterine cancer and generally don’t ever develop into cancer.
Multiple options are available to treat fibroids in the uterus. Watchful waiting and medications are used in the early stage of treatment. If these are not helpful, non-invasive to minimally invasive procedures are tried.
Look up the “best maternity hospital near me” to get yourself diagnosed for uterine fibroids if you have symptoms like heavy menstrual bleeding, constipation, frequent urination, pelvic pain and more.
Here is all you need to know about non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures for fibroid treatment.
Noninvasive Procedure
MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery is a non-invasive way to treat fibroids in the uterus and it involves no incisions. A high-energy ultrasound transducer is used for treatment. Through images, the doctor finds out the exact location of the fibroids. The transducer sends sound vibrations to the fibroids to heat and damage small parts of their tissue.
Minimally Invasive Procedures
- Uterine Artery Embolisation
Embolic agents (small particles) are injected into the arteries leading to the uterus. Blood flow is obstructed and the growths shrink and die.
Complications happen if the blood supply is cut off to ovaries or other organs. But if you visit the “best maternity hospital near me”, you shouldn’t worry about complications.
- Radiofrequency Ablation
Here, radio-frequency energy is used to destroy fibroids in the uterus and shrink the vessels that supply blood to them. This is performed during a transcervical or laparoscopic procedure.
In radio-frequency ablation, 2 small incisions are made in your abdomen to insert a laparoscope. Fibroids are located using an ultrasound tool and a laparoscopic camera. Then many small needles are deployed into the fibroid. The fibroid tissue is heated up by the needles and destroyed. It instantly softens. In the next 3-12 months, the growths shrink.
Since no tissue is cut, this method is considered less invasive than myomectomy and hysterectomy. Women can usually resume daily activities in 5-7 days after treatment.
- Robotic/Laparoscopic Myomectomy
Here, the fibroids are removed through tiny incisions in your abdomen, leaving the uterus intact. This method is chosen if you have a few fibroids in your uterus. Larger growths are removed by breaking them into pieces.
Your abdominal area is viewed on a monitor with a small camera connected to one of the devices. The surgeon sees your uterus in a magnified 3D view, ensuring high dexterity, flexibility and precision.
- Hysteroscopic Myomectomy
It can be an option if the fibroids are submucosal (inside your uterus). The surgeon assesses and eliminates them using tools inserted into your uterus through your vagina and cervix.
- Endometrial Ablation
A special device is inserted into your uterus to destroy its lining using electric current, hot water, microwave energy and heat. It reduces your menstrual flow or ends menstruation. Women must use birth control after this procedure to prevent ectopic pregnancy (one that develops in a fallopian tube).
Make sure to search for the “best maternity hospital near me” and visit it to receive prompt treatment if you are diagnosed with uterine fibroids.