19 Feb The Watch and Wait Approach for Fibroids Can Damage Fertility
Women struggling with fibroids often face challenges when they try to become pregnant. Fibroids can make conception difficult, they can cause miscarriages and preterm labor. Many times they have waited too long and hysterectomy is the only option for treatment as there is no uterus left to salvage. It’s important that women are aware of the risks and seek treatment early, before extensive damage occurs.
LOOKING FOR THE BEST TREATMENT FOR FIBROIDS
A popular approach is to “watch and wait”. This is an outdated method as fibroids can grow very fast and it becomes harder to repair and preserve the uterus for fertility. Fibroids can obstruct fallopian tubes or the cervix making it harder for women to get pregnant. Fibroids that grow within the uterine lining, or develop within the muscle, can distort the uterine cavity. Removal of fibroids that distort the uterus dramatically reduces the risk of miscarriage.
Some medical professionals recommend uterine fibroid embolization, which can be appealing to women due to the non-invasive nature of the approach. This procedure however has limitations. In younger patients, long-term control is limited: additional fibroids can grow or the fibroid that was embolized could re-establish a blood supply. Embolization can also affect implantation of the embryo into the lining of the uterus where the baby grows. Read more in this WTOP article.
When it comes to surgical treatment, it should be performed by a laparoscopic specialist, with minimally invasive approach. With advanced surgical techniques like LAAM myomectomy, fibroids any number and size can be removed laparoscopically, in outpatient settings, and recovery is less than 2 weeks. The LAAM technique allows surgeons to feel the fibroids, even those localized deep in the muscle of the uterus, so they can be removed. Thorough removal is important to achieve long-term relief from symptoms and to increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy.
CIGC patients have shared stories about their journey: getting diagnosed, struggling through symptoms and searching for the best treatment that would allow them to maintain fertility. Read their testimonials in the articles below and find additional patient feedback on doctor review sites: Dr. Paul MacKoul Reviews | Dr. Natalya Danilyants Reviews
To schedule an appointment and discuss your options for minimally invasive fibroid removal, call 888-SURGERY