Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that develop inside the uterus. The symptoms associated with fibroids include heavy menstrual bleeding and pain. Asymptomatic fibroids do not require treatment.  Some form of treatment for fibroids is usually recommended on developing complications. This article provides an insight on treating uterine fibroids without surgery and the treatment options are described below:-

Methods For Treating Uterine Fibroids Without Surgery

Medication Therapy

Medications are helpful in temporarily alleviating the symptoms associated with uterine fibroids and do not cure the condition. Medication therapy is indicated by your health care provider based on your condition. The medication therapy for uterine fibroids works by stabilizing the female hormones that regulate your periods. It decreases the estrogen levels and halts the hormonal imbalance regulated by the ovaries. These drugs can temporarily relieve pelvic pressure, pain and heavy menstrual bleeding. They do not cause fibroid shrinkage or elimination. Some of the medications recommended for uterine fibroids include Progestin-releasing intrauterine device, Androgens, gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists, oral contraceptives and Lupron.

Progestin releasing intrauterine device

Progestin releasing intrauterine device (IUD) decreases the inner wall of uterus, relieves from heavy menstrual bleeding and pain as a result of fibroid tumor. It alleviates the fibroid associated symptoms temporarily and does not shrink or diminish the tumor growth.

Androgens

Androgens are also known as male sex hormones. Androgens are secreted by your adrenal glands and ovaries. Drugs containing synthetic androgens relieve the symptoms associated with uterine fibroids. Danazol, a drug similar to the hormone testosterone is administered for treating uterine fibroids without surgery. It works by reducing heavy menstrual bleeding, improves anemic condition. It reduces the size of uterus and also shrinks the uterine fibroids. Danazol causes side effects like weight gain, rapid unwanted facial hair growth, acne, dysphoria and deep voice thus most of the women avoid taking it.

Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) is produced by the pituitary gland and it stimulates the ovaries to produce female sex hormones progesterone and estrogen. It activates the ovaries to produce eggs thus promotes normal menstruation.Drugs like GnRH agonists include synarel, Lupron which target the same site as GnRH. It works by reducing the levels of estrogen and progesterone. It relieves the fibroid associated symptoms by halting menstruation, temporarily corrects anemia and shrinks the fibroid tumor.

The common side effects caused by GnRH agonists include dry vagina, hot flashes, excessive bone thinning, depression, headache, and loss of libido. An add-back hormone replacement therapy which includes addition of estrogen and progesterone can relieve these side effects. The therapy effectively prevents excessive bone thinning due to heavy menstruation.

Oral contraceptives

Progestins or oral contraceptives are advised for treating the symptoms associated with uterine fibroids. Oral contraceptives work by inhibiting heavy menstrual flow however does not cause fibroid shrinkage.

Lupron

Lupron is indicated as a way of treating uterine fibroids without surgery but is actually usually used prior to surgical therapy. Lupron works by decreasing the level of estrogen and temporarily reduces the size of fibroid tumor. It improves anemia prior to surgery thus avoids blood transfusion. It shrinks the fibroids and thus permits minimally invasive surgery.

Of course, another way of dealing with fibroids is by way of natural remedies and treatment.  Although slower-acting, this way of treating uterine fibroids without surgery is non invasive and free of unwanted side effects.

Read more about natural treatments for uterine fibroids.

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