The options for women diagnosed with fibroid tumors

The options for women diagnosed with fibroid tumors

Fibroid tumors are abnormal cell clusters are formed in utero. These tumors, also called fibroids or uterine fibroids are not cancerous. Many women have fibroids at some point in their lives and often no harmful effects of tumors. According to information from the National Library of Medicine, which are more common in women of childbearing age, however, usually do not affect a woman's ability to get pregnant.

Medication

According to the Mayo Clinic, the drugs prescribed for fibroid tumors are intended to regulate the hormones to relieve symptoms and possibly reduce the size of fibroids. Examples of drugs that can be used during treatment include gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist, androgen-releasing intrauterine device progestin.

Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists decrease the amount of estrogen and progestin hormones regulating the menstrual cycle. These drugs may be able to reduce the size of fibroid tumor.

Androgens, often called male hormones, also can shrink fibroids, but the Mayo Clinic warns that patients taking androgens, such as testosterone, may experience unwanted side effects, such as a deeper voice. A progestin-releasing intrauterine device does not affect the fibroids, but may reduce the symptoms of fibroids. It should be placed in the uterus by a medical professional.

Surgery

The only way to completely remove a fibroid tumor patient is surgical removal of the uterus. Called a hysterectomy, this procedure may be an option for women who cannot find relief from the symptoms of other methods. The Mayo Clinic warns that women who have a hysterectomy are unable to have children. Patients may be able to maintain their ovaries to prevent the onset of menopause.

Women with fibroids who want to still be able to have children may be able to have another type of surgery called myomectomy. According to a description of the procedure at the Mayo Clinic, there are several ways that can be performed depending on the number, size and location of fibroids in the uterus. Women who choose to have a myomectomy instead of a hysterectomy may run the risk of recurrence of fibroid tumors.

Other Treatments

The Mayo Clinic notes that there are some additional procedures that can potentially get rid of by destroying fibroids inside the uterus, instead of surgically removed.

In a procedure called rhabdomyolysis, a laser is used to destroy fibroids and shrink the blood vessels of tumors use to grow. Another procedure called endometrial ablation involves the destruction of the uterine lining. It affects fibroid tumors in the lining, but in the uterus not elsewhere.

A third method, known as uterine artery embolization can reduce fibroid size and alleviate symptoms. Although his technique is different from that used in myolysis, uterine artery embolization also makes the vessels that supply blood to the fibroid tumors to shrink.