Most women are quick to take up the options of surgery to get rid of fibroids. The assumption with most women is that surgery is a foolproof way of making sure that fibroid tumors are taken out. The reality of it is however far from this assumption. There are many factors that come along with surgery as an option for fibroid removal. Let us look at the surgical options available.
Hysterectomy
This is a surgical resection where ovaries may or may not be removed. An option of three routes that may be chosen i.e total removal of corpus and cervix, subtotal where the cervix is spared and oophorectomy & salpingectomy which in laymen terms simply means the removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes respectively. Hysterectomies are usually taken up as a last option because of the radical changes that have to take place. This is the most effective way of completely removing fibroids. As with anything that sounds this good the other side of the coin is not so rosy. The patient cannot conceive after this operation. Premature menopause will be experienced along with its symptoms of hot flashes, insomnia etc. Once you undergo this surgery you will have to commit to hormone replacement since the reproductive system will no longer be producing estrogen naturally.
With this procedure an incision is made on the bikini line and the fibroids are picked out. The biggest advantage here is that you can still preserve your reproductive organs because of the fact that only the fibroids are taken out. On the bad side there are issues such as slow post operative recovery, low fertility due to scarring as well as the possibility of having the fibroids grow back again. Less visible and smaller fibroids may be left in the tissue and will continue to grow after surgery.
Laparoscopic Myomectomy
Here several small incisions are made rather than a single one. This is done as an outpatient operation and the post surgery recovery is better than after the abdominal myomectomy. Only small fibroid tumors can be taken out and it cannot be done where there are several fibroids or if the fibroids are deeply embedded in the uterine wall.
Hysteroscopic resection/ endometrial ablation
Targeted tissue is destroyed through a laser beam, radio frequency heat, hot saline solution, freezing or microwaves or electrodes. This is more effective for submucosal fibroids and is also performed as an outpatient procedure with an even shorter recovery period than the above procedures. Failure rates have been registered with this option because of the fibroids recurring. The formation of post-operative synachiae/adhesions will result in low fertility.
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
A radiologist performs this procedure by injecting a substance that blocks the blood supply arteries that feed the fibroid tumor. The substance injected will result in death of the tumors while sparing the uterine structures. All fibroids are treated simultaneously and the major symptoms of fibroids are significantly reduced. No incisions or general anesthesia is used and post surgery recovery is between 7-10 days. Post-embolization is a major disadvantage associated with this treatment. It includes acute/chronic pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, weakness and night sweats. Dead tissue may become infected and cause other issues in the reproductive organs. The embolization also has a chance to affect non targeted tissue and lead to those organs failing. There are still chances of fibroid regrowth and low fertility after treatment.
After looking at all these options I personally believe it is better to start the fibroid battle by using natural remedies. I have read of many women's testimonials where they have opted for surgery once or even twice only to have the growths back. These tumors say a lot about women's lifestyles and the changes that our bodies are calling for. Most times when faced with problems we are quick to look for solutions without first looking and the cause of the problem.
Be wise and change your lifestyle for better!
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