Uterine Fibroids
Fibroids are muscular tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus (womb). They are very common non-cancerous tumors that develop in the muscle of the uterus that can change the quality of your life. They are most always benign (not cancerous).
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- Surgery to remove uterine fibroids without removing the uterus. This is called a myomectomy. Depending on the location of your fibroids, the myomectomy can be done through the pelvic area or through the vagina and cervix. You may be able to get pregnant after this surgery.
- Surgery to shrink fibroids without removing the uterus. This is called myolysis. The surgeon heats the fibroids, which causes them to shrink and die. Myolysis may be done laparoscopically (through very small cuts in the pelvic area). You may still get pregnant after myolysis.
- Treatments to shrink fibroids without surgery. These treatments include uterine artery embolization (UAE) and magnetic resonance (MR)-guided focused ultrasound (MR[f]US). UAE puts tiny plastic or gel particles into the vessels supplying blood to the fibroid. Once the blood supply is blocked, the fibroid shrinks and dies. MR(f)US sends ultrasound waves to the fibroids that heat and shrink the fibroids. After UAE or MR(f)US, you will not be able to get pregnant.