Various alternatives to surgery for fibroids exist and it is a case of discovering what suits you best. This will depend on your symptoms, your age and whether or not you want to add to or start a family.
Uterine fibroids are a common condition that occurs when certain benign tumors grow on the muscular wall of the uterus. They can range in size from microscopic to really large ones that can cause some serious painful symptoms. Fibroids can affect women of all ages but are most common during the 40s and 50s. While the only sure way to treat fibroids quickly is to have them surgically removed, you can explore other alternatives to surgery for fibroids.
One non surgical approach that is quickly gaining popularity is called uterine fibroid embolization. This is a non surgical, non invasive out patient procedure. Performed under local anesthetic, embolization has a very quick recovery time. But care has to be taken to determine if this is the right step for you. Background information like medical history and overall general health are taken into consideration. Pelvic imaging through ultrasound is screened. This helps in measuring the uterus size and establishing other health issues that might be a concern.
The procedure involves a minute incision made in the upper thigh. From this point a catheter is inserted. Guided by X ray the doctor will find out the blood vessels that are responsible for providing blood to the fibroid growth. To stop the flow of blood small particles are injected that block the blood supply. Once countered, the loss of fresh blood to the fibroids will stop its growth and it begins to shrink. The procedure cures the fibroids by starving them. The entire procedure doesn’t take longer than half an hour and is one of the viable alternatives to surgery for fibroids which is worth considering.
Moreover, the recovery time is fairly reduced in comparison to typical surgical treatments for the condition. Patients usually stay overnight in the hospital and are given pain medication for relief.
Patients are monitored afterwards to see how fast the growths are shrinking. Relief from other symptoms like heavy bleeding and anemia also follows the embolization procedure. Embolization quickly retards fibroid growth and has proven to be a safe alternative to surgery.
Other Alternatives To Surgery For Fibroids
Among other natural alternatives, you can make some changes in your routine such as dietary habits. Fibroids are well known to thrive under certain hormonal imbalances. Estrogen contributes to the growth of fibroids. Certain foods are known to restrict estrogen level production in the body. By regulating estrogen levels you can also prevent the fibroids from growing larger.
Chief among these are many kinds of herbal teas. By drinking these cleansing teas you are introducing antioxidants into the body. These antioxidants have cleansing and purifying properties. They help the liver in the detoxifying process. Green tea, chasteberry, burdock root and nettle are some herbal alternatives to surgery for fibroids. Although the herbal remedies do not get rid of the fibroids, but they are highly helpful in managing the uncomfortable symptoms associated with the condition.
You can also consider the option of a sitz bath while looking at other alternatives to surgery for fibroids. This procedure involves in sitting in tubs of hot and cold water alternately with the purpose of bringing fresh blood to the affected region and flushing away the stale blood. The sitz bath provides relief from the discomfort experienced by fibroids.
Consider looking at alternatives to surgery for fibroids. There really is so much you can do if you open your eyes to the options out there. Certainly don’t discount natural treatment as this can be a safe, gentle alternative to the surgeon’s knife.
You might find the last post I wrote useful. This was about herbal therapy for uterine fibroids.