Fibroids, or uterine Myomas or Leiomyomas, are noncancerous growths in or near the womb (Uterus). These growths are made of muscle and Fibrous tissue, and their sizes can range from as small as a tiny seed to the size of a grapefruit or even more significant in some cases.
Surgery for Fibroid Removal
The surgery recommended for you depends on the severity of your symptoms, size, and location of your fibroids.
While Uterine Fibroids are not cancerous, they can cause pain and other frustrating symptoms that can affect the quality of your day-to-day life.
Fortunately, there are many options available for removing fibroids. It is recommended that UFE (Uterine fibroid embolization) be done as a non-surgical treatment option for Fibroid that preserves the Uterus.
Myomectomy and Hysterectomy are the two main surgical options available, and both options come with risks that you should be aware of.
Myomectomy Surgery
A Myomectomy is a procedure for removing fibroids that leaves the Uterus unharmed and in place.
- Open Myomectomy: This is also known as Abdominal Myomectomy when a cut (incision) is made in the abdomen to remove the fibroids. Spending up to three days in the hospital may be necessary for this procedure, and this type of surgery is best for larger Fibroids.
- Laparoscopic Myomectomy: This is a surgery for removing one or more fibroids, small incisions (cuts) are made in the belly, and a telescope is inserted into the belly button to remove the fibroids. Many women spend the night in the hospital after surgery and may feel pain in their bellies for a few days.
- Hysteroscopic Myomectomy: For this surgery, a camera attachment is inserted into the vagina without making any incisions (cuts) to remove the fibroids. With this procedure, patients frequently leave for home on the same day.
Hysterectomy Surgery
Another surgical procedure for removing Fibroid is a Hysterectomy. A Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the Uterus, also known as the womb, so women would not be able to get pregnant or menstruate after this surgery.
Some reasons for this surgery include abnormal bleeding, uterine prolapse, fibroids, and cancer. This procedure involves a longer recovery period time of up to eight weeks.
In Partial Hysterectomy, also known as Subtotal or Supracervical Hysterectomy, the surgeon removes the upper part of the Uterus so the cervix is left in place.
For Total Hysterectomy, your surgeon removes the entire womb and cervix
Benefits And Risks Of Fibroid Surgery
It would be best to weigh each procedure’s risks and advantages when deciding on the best treatment for your Fibroid.
Removing your Fibroid will relieve your symptoms, such as heavy bleeding, unpredictable cycles, belly pain, frequent urination, and more. Most persons prefer a Myomectomy because it leaves the Uterus intact, making it possible to get still pregnant.
Like most procedures, a Myomectomy has risks; these risks can be severe and may include significant blood loss, which could require a hysterectomy. While rare, the organs can be damaged during the procedure.
After surgery, some people develop a fever or an infection from the wound, prolonging recovery time.
Another issue is the possibility of organ attachments due to adhesions caused by scar tissue along the stomach cavity. Lesions and pain can affect fertility chances.
Because there is no womb after a hysterectomy, you can no longer become pregnant or carry a child. A hysterectomy can also harm the blood vessels and organs in the area, and fever and wound infections are sometimes related.
After a hysterectomy, some women experience urine incontinence, which can become problematic.
Can Fibroids Regrow After A Myomectomy?
Even though a Myomectomy is an excellent solution, Unfortunately, it is not always a long-term cure for fibroids. Even though the procedure removes existing fibroids, new fibroids can form after the process. If this occurs, the doctor may advise a hysterectomy to prevent future growth.
The likelihood of developing fibroids again increases with age and the number of fibroids present during a Myomectomy.
Women approaching menopause are the least likely to have recurring fibroids problems after a myomectomy.
UFE Can Be A Safer Option
Because it is a non-surgical procedure, Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is less risky. Instead of removing the fibroids, the process involves cutting off blood flow to the growths, causing them to shrink and die.
Fibroid specialists use imaging to locate the uterine artery feeding the Fibroid. They insert a tiny tube (catheter) into the thigh and inject embolic materials into the affected artery, causing blood flow to be blocked.
If the Fibroid does not receive nutrients, it will shrink over time, stopping the symptoms you have been experiencing.
UFE is an outpatient procedure that requires less recovery time than fibroid removal. Fibroid removal surgeries can take up to six or eight weeks to recover from, whereas UFE takes one to two weeks.
Foods To Eat If You Have Fibroids
Fibroids cannot be treated with medicine alone; a well-balanced diet with exercise can help reduce some fibroid symptoms and issues. In some cases, certain foods can also help to slow fibroid growth. Foods Such as:
Fibre
Fiber-rich foods help with weight loss and hormone balance. They also help to maintain stable blood sugar levels.
Fibre helps prevents and slow the growth of Fibroids for these reasons. Include the following whole foods in your diet:
- Cooked and raw vegetables
- Cooked, natural, and dried fruit
- Whole grain bread and pasta
- Cruciferous vegetables
- Oats
- Lentils
- Barley
- Beans
Potassium
Potassium helps to balance blood pressure by counteracting the effects of salt. Include the following potassium-rich foods in your daily diet:
- Avocado
- Bananas
- Citrus
- Cantaloupe
- Oat bran
- Collard greens
- Dates
- Lentils
- Potatoes
- Tomatoes
Green tea
Green tea has several antioxidants. One is epigallocatechin gallate, which helps slow fibroids’ growth by reducing inflammation and high estrogen levels.
Green tea can also help reduce the symptoms of fibroids related to heavy bleeding.
Foods To Avoid If You Have Fibroids
Sugar and simple carbs
Sugary foods and simple carbohydrates may cause or aggravate fibroids. R liable Source.
These foods cause blood sugar levels to rise, and this causes your body to produce an excessive amount of insulin. E cess insulin can lead to weight gain and fibroid growth.
Avoid refined carbohydrates and added sugars like:
- Table sugar
- Glucose
- Dextrose
- Maltose
- Corn syrup
- High fructose corn syrup
- White bread, rice, pasta, and flour
- Soda and sugary drinks
- Fruit juice
- potato chips
- crackers
- packaged energy bars
Estrogen-increasing foods
Some foods contain phytoestrogens, natural ingredients that mimic estrogen in the body. O her foods contain hormones or cause your body to produce more estrogen.
Some foods may have minor protective effects if eaten in small amounts but can have negative effects if consumed in large quantities.
You might need to limit or avoid foods like:
- Red meat from sources that include added hormones
- Soybeans
- Soy milk
- Tofu
- Flax seed
While most persons might not want to go with surgery, it might be the only option available based on the severity of your Fibroids, the location, and symptoms. There is no guarantee that new Fibroids won’t be formed after surgery; however, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating habits will reduce the chances of new fibroids growing. However, reducing alcohol consumption and getting enough exercise can help to improve fibroid symptoms, slow fibroid growth, and even prevent new fibroids from forming.
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