"What Are My Treatment Options for Fibroids?"
Honey, you have options… And your healing journey should fit you, not the other way around.
Let’s walk through the different treatment paths you can take so you can make informed, empowered decisions about your body and your future.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Sometimes surgery isn’t necessary right away — or at all. Depending on your symptoms, size, and goals (like preserving fertility), non-surgical approaches can help manage fibroids.
Here’s what’s available:
Lifestyle Changes:
Anti-inflammatory diet (think leafy greens, berries, wild salmon, flaxseeds)
Reducing processed foods, dairy, soy, and refined sugar
Herbal supports (red raspberry leaf, dandelion, nettle)
Stress management (because sis, cortisol imbalance fuels fibroid growth)
Lifestyle shifts might may not make fibroids just disappear, but they can slow growth, ease symptoms, and support overall healing.
Medications:
Hormone therapy (like GnRH agonists) can shrink fibroids temporarily by lowering estrogen levels.
Birth control pills can help control heavy periods but don’t shrink fibroids.
Tranexamic acid can reduce bleeding during periods.
⚡ Heads up:
Most meds offer symptom relief, not a cure. And once you stop them, fibroids may return or continue growing.
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE):
A minimally invasive procedure.
A radiologist blocks the blood vessels feeding the fibroids, causing them to shrink.
Recovery is quicker than surgery (about 1–2 weeks).
Pro: Preserves the uterus!
Con: Not recommended if you want to get pregnant later, and sometimes symptoms can come back.
Surgical Treatment Options
If fibroids are causing major pain, bleeding, fertility issues, or rapid growth, surgery might be the best move.
Here are the main options:
Myomectomy:
Surgical removal of fibroids only (you keep your uterus).
Can be done laparoscopically (small incisions), robotically, or through an abdominal incision.
Recovery depends on the type but usually ranges from 2–6 weeks.
Pro: Best option if you want to preserve fertility.
Con: Fibroids can return later.
Hysterectomy:
Surgical removal of the entire uterus.
Can be done abdominally, vaginally, or laparoscopically.
Pro: Permanent removal — fibroids won’t come back.
Con: No possibility of pregnancy after, and emotional impacts can be deep (this isn’t just physical surgery; it’s emotional, too).
⚡ Important to know: Some doctors push hysterectomy as the “easy” option. But it's major surgery with lifelong effects. Always get a second opinion if you're unsure!
Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider
Before you decide on any treatment path, make sure you’re asking the right questions:
What type of fibroids do I have? Where are they located?
How might my fibroids affect my fertility?
What are all of my treatment options?
What are the pros and cons of each option for my body and my goals?
What’s the recovery time? What side effects should I expect?
Can I try natural or lifestyle-based interventions first?
Can you refer me to a fibroid specialist or surgeon for a second opinion?
You deserve clear answers — and you deserve a care team that sees the whole you, not just your diagnosis.
Remember…
You are the CEO of your healing journey.
You get to ask questions.
You get to explore options.
You get to make the decision that feels right for you.
Stay informed. Stay empowered.
