Fibroids--also called leiomyomas or myomas--are benign growths in the wall of the uterus, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Fibroids vary in size from tiny to very large and may grow singly or in multiples. Many have no symptoms, but others cause pain, severe bleeding, frequent urination and abdominal swelling. Treatment for symptomatic fibroids depends on the size and location of the growths, as well as the patient's age and desire for future pregnancies. Some patients prefer surgical removal of the fibroids or a hysterectomy, while others choose nonsurgical treatment.
Medications
Although medications cannot provide permanent relief of fibroid symptoms, some are effective for temporary treatment. For mild fibroid pain, over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be effective, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Low-dose birth control pills or progesterone-like injections provide temporary relief from heavy bleeding, and iron supplements can be used to treat the resulting anemia. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists may be given by nasal spray, implant or injection to reduce estrogen production and shrink fibroids, according to the Merck Manual. But these medications are expensive, and the fibroids return when the drugs are stopped.
Uterine Artery Embolization
Fibroids can be shrunk by injecting synthetic particles into the blood vessels that feed them, reports the Department of Health and Human Services. This procedure is recommended for the woman who has heavy bleeding and pain from fibroids and does not want a hysterectomy or a future pregnancy. Complications are uncommon, but more research is needed to determine if the fibroids are likely to return.
Developing Treatments
Several noninvasive fibroid treatments are under development. Anti-hormonal drugs may relieve symptoms without causing side effects, although they are not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Some health-care providers use high-intensity ultrasound or very hot sound waves to destroy fibroids. Lasers also may be effective in removing or shrinking fibroids, according to the Merck Manual. Myolysis, a procedure that involves inserting a needle into the fibroid, uses cold, heat or electrical current to destroy the core. Research into the long-term effects of these procedures, including the ability of the patient to become pregnant afterward, is continuing.
