Treating the symptoms

Birth Control Low-dose birth control pills do not make fibroids grow and can help control heavy bleeding. An IUD (intrauterine device) called Mirena® contains a small amount of progesterone-like medication, which can be used to control heavy bleeding as well as for birth control.

Pain Medication Your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen or naproxen to help relieve mild pain. NSAIDs can also reduce heavy menstrual bleeding caused by fibroids.

• Endometrial Ablation The lining of the uterus is removed or destroyed to control very heavy bleeding. This can be done with laser, wire loops, boiling water, electric current, microwaves, freezing, and other methods. This procedure usually is considered minor surgery. It can be done on an outpatient basis or even in a doctor's office.

GnRH antagonists: GnRH antagonists work by blocking GnRH receptors in the pituitary gland, which helps lower the production of estrogen in the body. This may lead to the reduction of heavy menstrual bleeding.

Treating the size

GnRHa (gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists) The one most commonly used is Lupron®. These drugs, given by injection, nasal spray, or implanted, can shrink your fibroids. Sometimes they are used before surgery to make fibroids easier to remove.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), or Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE) A thin tube is thread into the blood vessels that supply blood to the fibroid. Then, tiny plastic or gel particles are injected into the blood vessels. This blocks the blood supply to the fibroid, causing it to shrink. UFE can be an outpatient or inpatient procedure.

Removing/destroying the fibroid

Hysterectomy A hysterectomy is a major surgical procedure in which the uterus is removed. Many women choose hysterectomy to definitively resolve their fibroid symptoms. After hysterectomy, menstrual bleeding stops, pelvic pressure is relieved, frequent urination improves and new fibroids cannot grow. A woman can no longer become pregnant after a hysterectomy.

Myomectomy Surgery to remove fibroids without taking out the healthy tissue of the uterus. Myomectomy can be performed in many ways. It can be major surgery (involving cutting into the abdomen) or performed with laparoscopy or hysteroscopy. The type of surgery that can be done depends on the type, size, and location of the fibroids.

Myolysis A needle is inserted into the fibroids, usually guided by laparoscopy, and electric current or freezing is used to destroy the fibroids.

Sonata The Sonata Treatment is an incision-free treatment for uterine fibroids that uses an intrauterine ultrasound handpiece to locate and target the individual fibroids. Radiofrequency energy is delivered to shrink the fibroid and reduce symptoms.

Acessa The Acessa procedure was designed to maintain the integrity of the uterus by focusing treatment solely on the fibroid. This is done by applying controlled heat directly into the fibroid, which in turn destroys the fibroid tissue and causes it to shrink over time. The smaller and softer destroyed fibroid tissue leads to symptom relief, without having to cut open your uterus.