In the minority of women who have symptoms, some of the common complaints that result from problematic fibroids include heavy and uncomfortable menstrual periods, pelvic and abdominal pressure due to uterine enlargement, having to urinate more frequently, infertility and recurrent miscarriage.
There are both hormonal and surgical treatment options for fibroids. The decision about which route to pursue depends on many factors and is a decision that you and your doctor will make together. When surgery is recommended for fibroids, typically this involves either a myomectomy or hysterectomy.
Some fibroids reside in the uterine cavity or have grown from the uterine wall into the uterine cavity which allows a minimally invasive approach called hysteroscopy. This is a wonderful option when available because it involves no incisions at all. During a hysteroscopic myomectomy, a camera mounted on a 5 mm wide lens is inserted through the vagina and cervical canal into the uterus. Through the end of the lens specialized instruments are used to remove the fibroid(s). Some practitioners do not offer a hysteroscopic approach to amenable fibroids. This is usually due to limited training but may also be because their operating room does not have the specialized equipment required to offer this technique.
