Fibroid Treatment: What To Be Thankful for if You Have Fibroids

Fibroids, or uterine leiomyomas, are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus. They are a common condition, particularly among women of childbearing age, with studies estimating that up to 70-80% of women between the ages of 35 and 54 will develop them. Despite their prevalence, fibroids can still be a source of significant worry for many women, particularly when it comes to symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, pregnancy issues and more. However, in today’s medical landscape, there is much to be thankful for if you have fibroids. This is particularly true when you consider fibroid treatment as an option to reclaim your life.

The impact fibroids have on a woman’s quality of life includes an often under-discussed and heavy emotional toll on well-being, self-esteem, and overall body positivity that can sometimes feel worse than the physical suffering. That is why having a doctor in your corner who is open to back-and-forth dialogue, answering every question or concern, setting expectations, and honoring your wishes is one significant way to help you feel more in control and be thankful for what’s ahead. And that’s not all. Advances in medical technology, a growing array of fibroid treatment options, and a better understanding of fibroid management have provided women with numerous pathways to recovery and relief.

With this being the season of winter holidays and thankfulness, let’s explore the reasons to be grateful if you have fibroids. This includes highlighting the improvements and choices available in fibroid treatment and how highly experienced fibroid experts lead the charge to help women see a brighter future.

Imagine Being Thankful for Finally Overcoming These Fibroid Symptoms

• Painful periods, debilitating cramps, pelvic pain, and pressure
• Heavy or abnormal menstrual bleeding
• Painful intercourse
• Fatigue and weakness
• Bloating or swelling in the lower abdomen
• Back or leg pain
• Urinary frequency, constipation, and rectal discomfort

5 Reasons To Be Thankful if You Have Fibroids

1. Greater Awareness and Early Diagnosis

One of the most important advances in fibroid management and fibroid treatment is the increased awareness among women and healthcare providers about the condition. In the past, fibroids were often left undiagnosed until they became severe or symptomatic. In many instances, women normalized their symptoms as simply part of womanhood. That couldn’t be further from the truth. You never need to suffer in silence, and the good news is that times have changed considerably.

Today, many women are diagnosed earlier thanks to routine gynecological exams, imaging technologies like ultrasound and MRI, and a better understanding of fibroid symptoms. Early diagnosis allows for timely fibroid treatment, preventing fibroids from growing large enough to cause significant discomfort or complications. By detecting fibroids at an early stage, women can explore less invasive therapies and avoid long-term damage to reproductive health or unnecessary surgeries.

2. A Wide Range of Fibroid Treatment Options

One size does not fit all when treating fibroids. Fortunately, advancements in medical research and treatment methods have resulted in a wide range of options tailored to each woman’s specific circumstances. Here are some of the most common approaches:

• Watchful Waiting: Watchful waiting is an effective option for women with small fibroids that are not causing symptoms. This approach involves regular monitoring of the fibroids without active intervention but still includes ongoing conversations with your primary care provider. Since fibroids often shrink after menopause due to the decrease in hormone levels, many women with asymptomatic fibroids may never need treatment. As a result, avoiding unnecessary procedures is something to be thankful for. This is particularly true for those who want to minimize medical interventions.
• Medications: Several medications are available to help manage fibroid symptoms, including hormonal treatments to shrink fibroids or reduce heavy menstrual bleeding. For example, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists can temporarily shrink fibroids by lowering estrogen levels, providing relief from symptoms while patients decide on their long-term treatment options. Additionally, non-hormonal medications like tranexamic acid or NSAIDs can help control bleeding and pain without the need for surgery.
• Minimally Invasive Procedures: For women who need more than just symptom management but want to avoid major surgery, several minimally invasive procedures are now available. For instance, Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) blocks the blood supply to fibroids rather than surgically removing them. As a result, they shrink and die. UFE offers a shorter recovery time and preserves the uterus. Another option is radiofrequency ablation, which uses heat to destroy fibroid tissue. RFA can be performed laparoscopically or via a vaginal approach, depending on the size and location of the fibroids. A third minimally invasive fibroid treatment option is Acessa. With this procedure, a tiny probe is placed into a fibroid and heated to destroy it. If you have multiple large fibroids or fibroids that are hard to get to, Acessa is not a good choice. It is also not covered by some insurance companies.
• Myomectomy: If a woman is not a candidate for the minimally invasive options above, she and her doctor can discuss surgical removal of fibroids while still leaving the uterus intact. This is the main advantage of having a myomectomy. It can be done using minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopic or robotic surgery, which offers quicker recovery and less postoperative pain compared to traditional open surgery. Approximately 30,000 myomectomy surgeries are performed annually. Many patients say they no longer experience fibroid pain and symptoms. The typical recovery time is 2-6 weeks.
• Hysterectomy: Hysterectomy is the second most common gynecologic surgery after C-section. That said, removing the uterus is no longer the primary treatment for fibroids and is typically reserved for cases where other treatments have failed, or the fibroids are very large and causing severe symptoms. Even so, modern techniques allow for minimally invasive hysterectomies, which reduce recovery time and the risk of complications. Many women are thankful that hysterectomy is no longer the default solution and that other uterine-sparing treatments are widely available.

3. Pregnancy is Possible

One of the major concerns for many women with fibroids is the potential impact on having a baby. In the past, fibroid treatments like hysterectomy were more common, making it impossible to have children afterward. However, today’s fibroid treatments often prioritize fertility preservation, offering women the chance to address their fibroids while maintaining their ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy.

For example, myomectomy and UFE are procedures that specifically target fibroids while leaving the uterus intact, making these options for women who hope to become pregnant in the future. These techniques combined with advanced reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) have allowed many women with fibroids to achieve successful pregnancies. The ability to treat fibroids without sacrificing the possibility of motherhood is something many women can be grateful for.

4. Shorter Recovery Times

Historically, fibroid treatment often meant undergoing a major surgical procedure like an open hysterectomy, which came with extended recovery periods and significant risks. Today, many fibroid treatments are far less invasive, resulting in quicker recovery times and fewer complications. Minimally invasive procedures such as UFE allow women to return to their normal activities within days rather than months. It also doesn’t require an overnight stay in the hospital or a lengthy recovery process. This faster recovery means less disruption to daily life and a quicker return to your job as well as overall health and wellness.

5. Access to Specialized Care

Lastly, many women can now be thankful for improved access to specialists focusing on fibroid treatment. Fibroid centers and clinics have emerged in recent years, offering comprehensive treatment options and individualized care plans. These clinics often feature experts in interventional radiology, gynecology, and reproductive medicine, ensuring patients receive the most appropriate care for their unique situations. Specialized fibroid treatment care means women with fibroids can feel confident that they are receiving state-of-the-art treatment tailored to their needs and goals—whether that’s symptom relief, fertility preservation, or overall well-being.

Very few practices are dedicated 100% to fibroid treatment. That’s where Fibroid Institute Texas makes its mark. The concierge model at Fibroid Institute means patients get personalized and complete care from the initial consultation through post-procedure follow-ups. UFE patients can access their fibroid doctor’s mobile number to call or text with questions and concerns.

In addition to prioritizing patient needs, Fibroid Institute is helping to reduce the healthcare costs of fibroid treatment. UFE is an outpatient procedure that does not require a hospital stay, thus costing less than traditional fibroid surgeries such as hysterectomy.

Our 100% Fibroid-Focused Practice Is a Top Fibroid Treatment Partner

While fibroids can undoubtedly cause stress and discomfort, there is much to be thankful for when it comes to modern fibroid treatment. From early diagnosis and a wide range of treatment options to specialized care, women with fibroids have more choices and control over their health than ever before. If you have fibroids, take comfort in knowing that advances in medical science have made managing and treating this condition more effective, less invasive, and more individualized.

The bottom line is that you do not have to worry about lengthy healing times with every fibroid treatment procedure. Whether UFE is the right option for you or not, our team of fibroid doctors is always on hand to partner with you and your physician to determine the best course of action. At Fibroid Institute, we do not believe you need to decide between suffering in silence and having invasive surgery. We are dedicated to treating fibroids using uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), the gold standard in non-surgical fibroid treatment.

With multiple locations, our Dallas and Houston fibroid clinics help thousands of women avoid fibroid surgery and find relief from their fibroid symptoms. We continually gather patient feedback and adjust our care process to provide the best possible experience for our patients.
Most major medical insurance providers cover the cost of UFE. Request a free 10-15 minute phone screening to determine if you are eligible. After the screening, if you qualify for UFE, you can schedule your onsite or telehealth consultation.

We are dedicated to helping you become #FibroidFree. Get started now in Dallas by calling 214-838-6440, in Houston by calling 713-903-3733, or complete the form below.

This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Prior to starting any new treatment or if you have questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider.

Fibroid Institute Texas serves the Dallas and Houston areas including Addison, Carrollton, Plano, Frisco, Craig Ranch, McKinney, Allen, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Hurst, Euless, Bedford, Arlington, Hutchins, Irving, Duncanville, DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Cockrell Hill, Highland Park, University Park, Park Cities, Garland, Mesquite, Richardson, Dallas, Sherman, Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Webster, Clear Lake, The Woodlands, Universal City, Spring, Kingwood, Stafford, Conroe, Texas City, Cypress, League City, Bellaire, and more.

*Patient names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.