Fibroids are benign (noncancerous) tumors in the uterus. According to the University of Minnesota Medical Center, the three options for nonsurgical fibroid treatment are medical management, GnRH therapy and uterine fibroid embolization.
Medical Management
If your fibroids are not causing symptoms, your doctor may just monitor them in regular checkups. If you do have symptoms, drug therapy using hormones can reduce bleeding and decrease the size of fibroids.
GnRH Therapy
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) therapy is a medication treatment that reduces estrogen production and causes fibroids to shrink.
Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) involves the doctor making a tiny cut in the skin in your groin area and passing a small tube called a catheter through an artery to your uterus. The doctor then injects tiny particles made of plastic or gelatin sponge into the catheter. By moving into the arteries that send blood to the fibroid, these particles stop the blood flow to the fibroid, which causes the fibroid to shrink.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Medical management and GnRH therapy are less invasive than UFE, which has a one week recovery time. However, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, about 85 percent of women who have UFE experience relief from most or all the fibroid pain and other symptoms.
Considerations
Fibroid treatment decisions need to be based on your unique situation in consultation with your health-care provider.
Tags: GnRH therapy, management GnRH, management GnRH therapy
