You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
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This decision aid is for people who have decided to treat their uterine fibroids. Many fibroids do not need treatment.
Uterine fibroids are growths in or on the
Over time, the size, shape, location, and symptoms of fibroids may change.
Your risk for uterine fibroids increases as you age, especially from your 30s and 40s through menopause. Most have mild or no symptoms. But fibroids can cause bad pain, bleeding, and other problems.
The cause of fibroids is not known. But the hormones
Uterine fibroids usually need treatment when they cause:
Depending on the reasons you need treatment, one type of treatment may work better for you than another.
Myomectomy, which is surgery to take out just the fibroids, can decrease pain and other symptoms. It allows the uterus to be left in place.
Surgery can be done:
Taking out fibroids decreases menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain from fibroids. It may improve your chances of getting pregnant.
Fibroids tend to grow back, unless you have your uterus taken out. New fibroids also can grow. Fibroids can return when surgery is done to take out just the fibroids. They are more likely to come back if you had many fibroids. Talk to your doctor about if your fibroids may be more likely to grow back.
Cutting into the uterine wall during this surgery may cause problems in a future pregnancy. During labor, the uterus might not work like it should. This could mean that you would need a
Hysterectomy, which is surgery to take out the uterus, cures fibroids. But it's usually the last choice for treatment, because it's major surgery and it makes you unable to get pregnant. Having this surgery means that you will no longer have menstrual periods. The
This surgery gives most people relief from their symptoms.
Talk to your doctor if you are not close to
This surgery:
Fibroids do not grow back after your uterus is taken out.
Most people don't have problems from this surgery. But possible long-term problems include:
Most people do not have problems after either surgery to treat fibroids. But problems can include:
Your doctor might suggest that you have surgery to take out just your fibroids if:
Your doctor might suggest that you have surgery to remove your uterus if:
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These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
Uterine fibroids made me miserable for a week to 10 days every month. My doctor talked with me about the discomfort and risks of a hysterectomy. She also said she might have to remove my ovaries. I had a hysterectomy, and my ovaries were removed. The first 2 weeks after the surgery were pretty rough, but my family and I managed. I now take estrogen every day. It's been a year since my surgery, and I feel great.
Cheryl, age 45
My periods were really painful about 5 years ago. I went to my doctor, and he asked a lot of questions about my periods and did an exam and some tests. When all the tests came back normal, he said uterine fibroids might be the cause of my pain. He said the only sure treatment for uterine fibroids was a hysterectomy. I didn't want to have surgery, so I asked if waiting a few months would be dangerous. He said waiting would be fine, and maybe I should try birth control pills and taking ibuprofen during my periods. After a few months, the pain eased up. I am glad I decided to wait and see if my pain decreased before having surgery.
Francine, age 42
I have large uterine fibroids and have had them since I was in my early 30s. They didn't cause any problems until I got pregnant with my first child. I went into labor about a month early, and my daughter had to spend several days in the intensive care unit. I would like to have one more child. My doctor has told me about a procedure called a myomectomy. He will be able to remove the uterine fibroids from my uterus without taking my uterus out. I won't have to have a large incision in my abdomen either. I am looking forward to having this done. We will wait several months and then try to have another child.
Terry, age 37
I was surprised when my doctor told me that uterine fibroids could be the cause of the pain I was having with my periods. I had never heard of uterine fibroids before. He told me all about uterine fibroids and the treatments I could try. When he said using ibuprofen for a few days right before my period starts and then for several days during my period might stop the pain, I thought I might as well try it. It took a couple of months of using this system, but now I hardly have any pain. I am glad that I did not have surgery.
Ginny, age 37
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to have surgery for fibroids
Reasons not to have surgery for fibroids
I'm having trouble getting pregnant because of fibroids, so I want to have them taken out.
Fibroids aren't keeping me from getting pregnant.
I have so much bleeding and pain that I'm miserable part of every month.
I can control my symptoms with medicine.
I want to do everything I can to treat my fibroids.
I don't want to have any surgery.
I'm not close to menopause, and I can't stand my symptoms, so I want surgery.
I'm close to menopause, so I'd rather try hormones and pain medicine until menopause.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Having surgery
NOT having surgery
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
Author | |
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Clinical Review Board | All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals. |
This decision aid is for people who have decided to treat their uterine fibroids. Many fibroids do not need treatment.
Uterine fibroids are growths in or on the
Over time, the size, shape, location, and symptoms of fibroids may change.
Your risk for uterine fibroids increases as you age, especially from your 30s and 40s through menopause. Most have mild or no symptoms. But fibroids can cause bad pain, bleeding, and other problems.
The cause of fibroids is not known. But the hormones
Uterine fibroids usually need treatment when they cause:
Depending on the reasons you need treatment, one type of treatment may work better for you than another.
Myomectomy, which is surgery to take out just the fibroids, can decrease pain and other symptoms. It allows the uterus to be left in place.
Surgery can be done:
Taking out fibroids decreases menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain from fibroids. It may improve your chances of getting pregnant.
Fibroids tend to grow back, unless you have your uterus taken out. New fibroids also can grow. Fibroids can return when surgery is done to take out just the fibroids. They are more likely to come back if you had many fibroids. Talk to your doctor about if your fibroids may be more likely to grow back.
Cutting into the uterine wall during this surgery may cause problems in a future pregnancy. During labor, the uterus might not work like it should. This could mean that you would need a
Hysterectomy, which is surgery to take out the uterus, cures fibroids. But it's usually the last choice for treatment, because it's major surgery and it makes you unable to get pregnant. Having this surgery means that you will no longer have menstrual periods. The
This surgery gives most people relief from their symptoms.
Talk to your doctor if you are not close to
This surgery:
Fibroids do not grow back after your uterus is taken out.
Most people don't have problems from this surgery. But possible long-term problems include:
Most people do not have problems after either surgery to treat fibroids. But problems can include:
Your doctor might suggest that you have surgery to take out just your fibroids if:
Your doctor might suggest that you have surgery to remove your uterus if:
Have surgery to take out fibroids or your uterus | Don't have either surgery | |
---|---|---|
What is usually involved? |
|
|
What are the benefits? |
|
|
What are the risks and side effects? |
|
|
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"Uterine fibroids made me miserable for a week to 10 days every month. My doctor talked with me about the discomfort and risks of a hysterectomy. She also said she might have to remove my ovaries. I had a hysterectomy, and my ovaries were removed. The first 2 weeks after the surgery were pretty rough, but my family and I managed. I now take estrogen every day. It's been a year since my surgery, and I feel great."
— Cheryl, age 45
"My periods were really painful about 5 years ago. I went to my doctor, and he asked a lot of questions about my periods and did an exam and some tests. When all the tests came back normal, he said uterine fibroids might be the cause of my pain. He said the only sure treatment for uterine fibroids was a hysterectomy. I didn't want to have surgery, so I asked if waiting a few months would be dangerous. He said waiting would be fine, and maybe I should try birth control pills and taking ibuprofen during my periods. After a few months, the pain eased up. I am glad I decided to wait and see if my pain decreased before having surgery."
— Francine, age 42
"I have large uterine fibroids and have had them since I was in my early 30s. They didn't cause any problems until I got pregnant with my first child. I went into labor about a month early, and my daughter had to spend several days in the intensive care unit. I would like to have one more child. My doctor has told me about a procedure called a myomectomy. He will be able to remove the uterine fibroids from my uterus without taking my uterus out. I won't have to have a large incision in my abdomen either. I am looking forward to having this done. We will wait several months and then try to have another child."
— Terry, age 37
"I was surprised when my doctor told me that uterine fibroids could be the cause of the pain I was having with my periods. I had never heard of uterine fibroids before. He told me all about uterine fibroids and the treatments I could try. When he said using ibuprofen for a few days right before my period starts and then for several days during my period might stop the pain, I thought I might as well try it. It took a couple of months of using this system, but now I hardly have any pain. I am glad that I did not have surgery."
— Ginny, age 37
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to have surgery for fibroids
Reasons not to have surgery for fibroids
I'm having trouble getting pregnant because of fibroids, so I want to have them taken out.
Fibroids aren't keeping me from getting pregnant.
I have so much bleeding and pain that I'm miserable part of every month.
I can control my symptoms with medicine.
I want to do everything I can to treat my fibroids.
I don't want to have any surgery.
I'm not close to menopause, and I can't stand my symptoms, so I want surgery.
I'm close to menopause, so I'd rather try hormones and pain medicine until menopause.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Having surgery
NOT having surgery
1. Surgery to take out just my fibroids will cure my problem.
2. Surgery to take out just my fibroids is the best choice if fibroids are keeping me from getting pregnant.
3. If I'm close to menopause, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and maybe hormones may be all that I need to help my symptoms.
1. Do you understand the options available to you?
2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
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Clinical Review Board | All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals. |
Current as of: April 30, 2024
Author:
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
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