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Treatments for Uterine Fibroids

The treatments for uterine fibroids are directed toward controlling your symptoms. The goals of treatment are to reduce blood loss and to eliminate symptoms.

Possible approaches include:

  • Watching and waiting
  • Over-the-counter and/or prescription medications
  • Measures to reduce excessive bleeding
  • Treatments for anemia
  • Procedures to destroy or remove the uterine fibroids
  • Removal of the entire uterus (only in the most severe cases and when pregnancy is no longer desired)

No one treatment option is best for all women. Many factors influence which choice is right for you including:

  • Age
  • Medical history
  • Symptoms
  • Number and location of fibroids

If you have fibroids, talk to your doctor about the different options available. Make sure to weigh all the risks and benefits of each treatment before making your decision.

Treatment involves:

REFERENCES:

Uterine fibroids. The National Uterine Fibroids Foundation website. Available at: http://www.nuff.org/health_uterinefibroids.htm. Accessed December 7, 2017.

Uterine fibroids fact sheet. Women's Health—US Department of Health and Human Services website. Available at: https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/uterine-fibroids. Updated February 6, 2017. Accessed December 7, 2017.

Uterine leiomyoma. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115612/Uterine-leiomyoma. Updated April 15, 2016. Accessed December 7, 2017.

Last reviewed November 2018 by Beverly Siegal, MD, FACOG