Treating fibroids

Treatment may not be necessary if you have fibroids but don't have any symptoms, or if you only have minor symptoms that aren't significantly affecting your everyday activities.

Fibroids often shrink after the Testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism) , and your symptoms will usually either ease or disappear completely.

If you have fibroids that need treatment, your GP may recommend medication to help relieve your symptoms. However, you may need to see a gynaecologist (specialist in the female reproductive system) for further medication or surgery if these are ineffective. See your GP to discuss the best treatment plan for you.

The various treatments for fibroids are outlined below.You can also read a summary of the pros and cons of the treatmentsfor fibroids , allowing you to compare your treatment options.

Medication for symptoms

Medicines are available that can be used toreduce heavy periods , but they can be less effective the larger your fibroids are. These medications are described below.

Levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS)

Thelevonorgestrel intrauterine system ( LNG-IUS )is a small,plastic, t-shaped device placed in your wombthat slowly releases the progestogen hormone levonorgestrel. It stops your womb lining growing quickly, so it's thinner and your bleeding becomes lighter.

Side effects associated with LNG-IUS include:

  • irregular bleeding that may last for more than six months
  • acne
  • headaches
  • breast tenderness
  • in some cases, noperiods at all ( absent periods )

LNG-IUSalso acts as a contraceptive, but doesn't affect your chances of getting pregnant after you stop usingit.

Tranexamic acid

If LNG-IUS is unsuitable for example, if contraception isn't desired tranexamic acid tablets may be considered. They work by stopping the small blood vessels in the womb lining bleeding, reducing blood loss by about 50%.

Tranexamic acid tablets are taken three or four times a dayduring your period for up to four days.Treatment should be stopped if your symptoms haven't improved within three months.

Tranexamic acid tablets aren't a form of contraception and won't affect your chances of becoming pregnant.

Indigestion and diarrhoea are two possible side effects of tranexamic acid tablets.

Anti-inflammatory medicines

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) , such as ibuprofen and mefenamic acid,can be taken three times a dayfrom the first day ofyour period until bleeding stops or reduces to manageable levels.

NSAIDs work by reducing your body's production of a hormone-like substance called prostaglandin, which is linked to heavy periods.

Anti-inflammatory medicines are also painkillers, but theyaren't a form of contraception.

Indigestion and diarrhoea are common side effects of NSAIDs.

The contraceptive pill

The contraceptive pill is a popular method of contraception that stops an egg being released from the ovaries to prevent pregnancy.

As well as making bleeding lighter, some contraceptive pills can help reduce period pain .

Your GP can provide you with further advice about contraception and the contraceptive pill.

Oral progestogen

Oral progestogen is synthetic (man-made) progesterone (one of the female sex hormones) thatcan help reduce heavy periods. It's usually taken as a daily tablet fromdays five to 26 of your menstrual cycle, counting the first day of your period as day one.

Oral progestogen works by preventing the womb lining growing quickly. It's not a form of contraception, but itcan reduce your chances of conceiving while you're taking it.

The side effects oforal progestogen canbe unpleasant and include weight gain, breast tenderness and short-term acne .

Injected progestogen

Progestogen is also available as an injection to treat heavy periods. It works by preventing the lining of your womb growing quickly.

This form of progestogen can be injected once every 12 weeks for as long as treatment is required.

Common side effects of injected progestogen include:

  • weight gain
  • irregular bleeding
  • absent periods
  • premenstrual symptoms, such as bloating, fluid retention and breast tenderness

Injected progestogenalso acts as acontraceptive. It doesn't prevent you becoming pregnant after you stop using it, although there may be a significant delay (up to 12 months) after you stop taking it before you're able to get pregnant.

Medication to shrink fibroids

Gonadotropin releasing hormone analogues (GnRHas)

If you're still experiencingsymptoms related to fibroids despite treatment with the above medications, your GPcan refer you to a gynaecologist. They may prescribe medication called gonadotropin releasing hormone analogues (GnRHas) to help shrink your fibroids.

GnRHas, such asgoserelin acetate, are hormones that are given by injection. They work by affecting thepituitary gland which stops the ovaries producing oestrogen. The pituitary gland is a small, pea-sized gland located at the bottom of the brain. It controls a number of important hormone glands within the body.

GnRHas stop your menstrual cycle (period), butaren't a form of contraception.They don't affect your chances of becoming pregnantafter you stop using them.

If you're prescribed GnRHas,they can help easeheavy periods and any pressure that you feel on your stomach.They also help improve symptoms of frequent urination and constipation .

GnRHas are sometimes also used to shrink fibroids prior to surgery to remove them.

GnRHas can cause a number of menopause-like side effects, including:

  • hot flushes
  • increased sweating
  • muscle stiffness
  • vaginal dryness

Sometimes, a combination of GnRHas and low doses of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be recommended to prevent these side effects.

Osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) is an occasional side effect of taking GnRHas. Your GP can give you more information about this and may prescribe additional medication to minimise thinning of your bones.

GnRHasis only prescribed on a short-term basis (a maximum of six months at a time). Your fibroids may grow back to their original size after treatment is stopped.

Ulipristal acetate

Ulipristal acetate is a new method of treating fibroids that have moderate to severe symptoms. Its only recommended for women over 18 years of age.

The treatment involves taking one tablet orally (by mouth) once a day, with a course of treatment lasting up to three months. During this time you shouldn't bleed and your fibroids will shrink.

After the initial course of treatment, you wait to see what your first two periods are like while not taking treatment. If they're still heavy, another three month course of ulipristal acetate may be recommended.

Treatment should only be started when menstruation (monthly periods ) have occurred. The first course of treatment should start during the first week of menstruation. Your doctor will be able to explain how long the intervals between treatment courses should be.

If youre taking a course of ulipristal acetate and you miss a dose, you should take a dose as soon as possible. However, if the dose was missed by more than 12 hours, you shouldn't take the missed dose but should return to your normal dosing schedule.

Hormonal forms of contraception , such as the progestogen-only pill , the intrauterine device , or combined oral contraceptive pill aren't recommended if you're taking ulipristal acetate. Instead, you should use a barrier method of contraception, such as condoms .

The electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) website has more information about ulipristal acetate .

Surgery

Surgery to remove your fibroids may be considered if your symptoms are particularly severe and medication has been ineffective.

Several different procedures can be used to treat fibroids. Your GP will refer you to a specialist who will discuss the options with you, including benefits and any associated risks.

The main surgical procedures used to treat fibroids are outlined below.

Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the womb. It's the most effective wayof preventing fibroids coming back.

Ahysterectomy may be recommended if you have large fibroids or severe bleeding and youdon't wish to have any more children.

There are a number of different ways a hysterectomy can be carried out, including through the vagina or through a number of small incisions in your abdomen (tummy).

Depending on the technique used, a hysterectomy can be carried out using a spinal or epidural anaesthetic (where the lower parts of the body are numbed). Sometimes, a general anaesthetic may be used, where you'll be asleep during the procedure.

You'll usually need to stay in hospital for a few days after having a hysterectomy.It takes aboutsix to eight weeks to fully recover, during which time you should rest as much as possible.

Side effects of a hysterectomy can include early menopause and a loss of libido (sex drive). However, loss of sex drive usually only occurs if the ovaries have been removed.

Myomectomy

A myomectomy is surgery to remove the fibroids from the wall of your womb. It may be considered as an alternative to a hysterectomy if you still would like to have children.

However,a myomectomyisn'tsuitable for all types of fibroid. Your gynaecologist can tell you whether the procedure is suitable for you based on factors such as the size, number and position of your fibroids.

Depending on the size and position of your fibroids, a myomectomy may involve making either a number of small incisions (cuts) in your tummy (keyhole surgery) or a single larger incision (open surgery).

Myomectomies are carried out under general anaesthetic, and you'll usually need to stay in hospital for a few days afterwards.After having a myomectomy, you'll be advised to rest for several weeks while you recover.

Myomectomies are usually an effective treatment for fibroids, although there's a chance the fibroids will grow back and further surgery will be needed.

Hysteroscopic resection of fibroids

A hysteroscopic resection of fibroids is a procedure where a thin telescope (hysteroscope) and small surgical instruments are used to remove fibroids.

The procedurecan be used to remove fibroids frominside the womb (submucosal fibroids), andis suitable for women who want to have children in the future.

No incisions are needed because the hysteroscope is insertedthrough the vagina and into the womb through the entrance to the womb (cervix).A number ofinsertions are neededto ensure that as much fibroid tissue as possible is removed.

The procedure is often carried out under general anaesthetic, although local anaesthetic may also be used. You can usually go home on the same day as the procedure.

After the procedure you may experience stomach cramps, but they should only last a few hours. There may also be a small amount of vaginal bleeding, which should stop within a few weeks.

Hysteroscopic morcellation of fibroids

Hysteroscopic morcellation of fibroids is a new procedure where a clinician who's receivedspecialist training in the technique uses a hysteroscope and small surgical instruments to remove fibroids.

The hysteroscope is inserted into the womb through the cervix (neck of the womb), and a specially designed instrument called a morcellator is used to cut away and remove the fibroid tissue. The procedure is carried out under a general or spinal anaesthetic. You'll usually be able to go home on the same day.

The main benefit ofhysteroscopic morcellation compared with hysteroscopic resection is that the hysteroscope is only inserted once, rather than a number of times, reducing the risk of injury to the womb.

Theprocedure may be an option in cases where there are serious complications. However, becausehysteroscopic morcellation is a new technique, evidence about its overall safety and long-term effectivenessis limited.

Readthe National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance about hysteroscopic morcellation of uterine fibroids (PDF, 133kb) .

Non-surgical procedures

As well as traditional surgical techniques to treat fibroids,non-surgical treatments are also available. These are outlined below.

Uterine artery embolisation (UAE)

Uterine artery embolisation (UAE) is an alternative procedure to a hysterectomyor myomectomy for treating fibroids. It may be recommended for women with large fibroids.

UAE is carried outby a radiologist (a specialist doctor who interprets X-rays and scans). Itinvolves blocking the blood vessels that supplythe fibroids, causing them to shrink.

During the procedure, a special solution is injected through a small tube (catheter), whichis guided by X-ray through a blood vessel in your leg. It's carried out under local anaesthetic, so you'll be awake but the area being treated will be numbed.

You'll usually need to stay in hospital a day or two after having UAE. When you leave hospital, you'll be advised to rest for one to two weeks.

Although it's possible to have a successful pregnancy after having UAE, the overall effects of the procedure on fertility and pregnancy are uncertain. It should therefore only be carried out after you'vediscussed the potential risks, benefits and uncertaintieswith your doctor.

Endometrial ablation

Endometrial ablation isa relatively minor procedure that involves removing the lining of the womb. It's mainly used to reduce heavy bleeding in women without fibroids, but it can also be used to treat small fibroids in the womb lining.

The affected womb lining can be removed in a number of ways for example,by using laser energy, a heated wire loop, or hot fluid in a balloon.

The procedure can be carried out either under local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic . It's fairly quick to perform, taking around 20 minutes, and you can usually go home the same day.

You may experience some vaginal bleeding and tummy crampsfor a few days afterwards, although some women have bloody discharge for three or four weeks.

Some women have reported experiencing more severe or prolonged pain after having endometrial ablation. In this case, you should speak to your GP or a member of your hospital care team who may be able to prescribe a stronger painkiller.

It may still be possible to get pregnant after having endometrial ablation, but the procedure isn't recommended for women who want to have more children because the risk of serious problems, such as miscarriage , is high.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) have more information about endometrial ablation. See their leaflet called Information for you after an endometrial ablation (PDF, 3.75Mb) .

MRI-guided procedures

There are also two relatively new techniques for treating fibroids that use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) . They are:

  • MRI-guided percutaneous laser ablation
  • MRI-guided transcutaneous focused ultrasound

These techniques use MRI to guide small needles into the centre of the fibroid being targeted. Laser energy or ultrasound energy is passed through the needles to destroy the fibroid.

These treatment methods can't be used to treat all types of fibroids, andthe long-term benefits and risks are unknown. As these procedures are relatively new, they're not yet widely available in the UK.

Research is still being carried out, but there's some evidence to suggest that thesenon-invasive procedures have short- to medium-term benefits when performed by an experienced clinician.

However, the effects on pregnancy and women who want to have a baby in the future aren't fully known, so this should be taken into consideration.

For further information, read the NICE guidance about:

  • MRI-guided percutaneous laser ablationfor uterine fibroids (PDF, 88.6kb)
  • MRI-guided transcutaneous focused ultrasoundfor uterine fibroids (PDF, 96kb)
Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 18 Jan 2017