Uterine Fibroids: Understanding Your Treatment Options

For many women, a diagnosis of uterine fibroids can bring questions, concerns, and uncertainty about what comes next. While many women will develop fibroids during their lifetime, not everyone experiences symptoms or requires treatment.

For those who do experience symptoms, understanding the available treatment options is an important part of making informed healthcare decisions. Treatment for fibroids is not a one-size-fits-all approach and that women should be aware of the options that may be available to them.

70-80% of women will develop fibroids in their lifetime, however not everyone will experience symptoms or require treatment.

WHAT ARE FIBROIDS?
Fibroids are noncancerous tumors that grow in or around the uterus. They are common during a woman's childbearing years, and while many women develop them, symptoms and treatment needs vary from person to person. Some women may never experience symptoms, while others may seek treatment because fibroids are affecting their quality of life.

Some symptoms can include:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding that can lead to severe anemia
• Pelvic pain
• Fertility challenges

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR FIBROIDS
A Hysterectomy used to be the only treatment option for fibroids. Thanks to medical advances, there are new options.

Medications
Medications can include birth control, among others that can help with symptoms such as heavy bleeding and pain during your period.

Myomectomy
A myomectomy is a procedure performed to remove fibroids through cuts made on the uterus.

Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy is a procedure that removes the uterus. For now, this is the only treatment that removes fibroids permanently. Women who choose this option will be unable to carry a child in the future.

Radiofrequency Ablation (ACESSA)
Radiofrequency ablation is a procedure that is performed by burning the fibroids to help improve symptoms.

Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE) / Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
This is done by injecting small particles into the arteries of the uterus. These particles block the blood supply to the fibroids.

Sonata
In this procedure, fibroids are treated from inside the uterus so there are no cuts.

Despite these new treatment options, 600,000 Hysterectomies are performed in the U.S. annually and fibroids account for one-third of ALL hysterectomies.

1 in 5 U.S. women believe that the only treatment for fibroids is a hysterectomy. Black women and those in rural communities are offered hysterectomy as the ony treatment options at higher rates.

BE INFORMED
People in rural communities are faced with many unique challenges for care and treatment. Here are a few questions that you can ask your healthcare provider (HCP) to help address these barriers.

• I don't have any insurance. What are some options for people who are uninsured or underinsured who are seeking treatment for fibroids but cannot afford it?
• I live far and there are very few doctors in my area. Transportation is a big problem for me. Can doctor's appointments be done virtually?
• When looking for treatment for fibroids, I often hear about hysterectomies. Is hysterectomy the only treatment available for fibroids? Are there other treatments that exist?
• If you do not conduct certain treatments, do you refer patients to other healthcare providers who are able to perform those procedures?

Hysterectomy is a great option for some women, but should not be the only option offered.

Treatment is not a one size fits all approach. Talk to your HCP about your symptoms, fertility and treatment goals, location and the size of the fibroids to see what options are available for your situation.

For more resources about Uterine Fibroids visit https://www.thewhitedressproject.org/education