Surgical removal of the uterus for decades has been the traditional treatment for women with significant symptoms related to fibroids who no longer desire children. However, some women may prefer an option that preserves their ability to have children. Additionally a hysterectomy is considered major abdominal surgery and may require days of hospitalization and weeks of recovery time. Although rare, hysterectomy may result in post-operative complications or even death. 

 Surgical option which involves cutting out one or more of the fibroids. Myomectomy may be a good option depending upon the size, number, and location of the fibroid tumors, but does not get to the root of the problem. The more fibroids present, the less successful the myomectomy surgery which occasionally may result in a hysterectomy. Depending upon extent of the surgery, recovery time can be days or weeks. Like uterine fibroid embolization, a myomectomy can preserve the woman’s ability to have future pregnancy. 

 Sometimes suggested by physicians, which may cause confusion as it sounds similar to “fibroid embolization” (or UFE). Endometrial ablation only treats the endometrial lining and not specifically fibroids. Endometrial ablation is best performed for women without fibroids who are suffering with heaving bleeding for other reasons and do not desire future fertility. 

Nonsurgical options for control of some symptoms associated with fibroids include use of birth control pills to control excessive bleeding, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) for pain control and so-called GnRH agonists. GnRH agonists decrease estrogen production from the ovaries and can temporarily decrease fibroid size. They usually are not prescribed for more than six months, after which symptoms can recur.