Women of childbearing age can develop uterine fibroids, which are mostly non-cancerous. These develop in or on your uterus. Fibroids aren’t dangerous (when they are benign), but some can cause discomfort or pain. If they become larger, they may press on the bladder and bowel, or cause heavy and painful periods.
Treatment options vary based on the patient’s fertility goals, age, and health status, but many opt for the uterine myomectomy procedure in Mulund to keep the uterus in place while having the fibroids removed surgically. In this post, we’ll learn about myomectomy, what it is, its types, and whether it’s safe.
What is Uterine Myomectomy?
Myomectomy is a medical term for the surgical removal of uterine fibroids. It’s different from hysterectomy, a more invasive procedure that removes the entire uterus to prevent fibroids’ recurrence.
It’s a preferred choice for women who want to preserve their fertility. If you are diagnosed with fibroids and may want to get pregnant in the future, having a myomectomy is your best bet. It helps relieve the symptoms of fibroids, such as pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, and cramps.
When Is Myomectomy Recommended for Large Fibroids?
If you experience severe symptoms of fibroids, such as heavy and persistent bleeding that lasts for 7+ days and occurs between periods, a myomectomy can help. Simply put, if it’s causing excessive discomfort or is interfering with your daily life, removing the fibroids surgically might be your best option.
Here’s when you should consider getting a myomectomy:
- You have heavy periods and develop anemia because of excessive blood loss
- You have large fibroids that press on your bladder or rectum
- You have recurrent pregnancy losses due to fibroids
- The fibroids keep growing rapidly
Types of Myomectomy Procedures
If a gynecologist in Mulund recommends myomectomy, here are the common types of the procedure you can choose from:
Open Surgery: If you have multiple fibroids that are too large to be removed laparoscopically, an open myomectomy might be the safest option. The procedure involves a single large incision on your lower abdomen to access and remove fibroids.
Laparoscopic Removal: If you have fewer fibroids of small sizes, a laparoscopic myomectomy that removes them through small, key-hole-sized incisions can be your best option.
Hysteroscopic Myomectomy: Hysteroscopy is a diagnostic and treatment procedure that can be used to detect fibroids and remove them through your vagina.
Safety of Myomectomy for Large Fibroids
Yes, it’s generally safe given that you choose a recognized hospital and a professional and experienced surgeon for the procedure. The size and number of the fibroids can also affect the surgery’s complexity. Like any surgery, myomectomy is not completely safe. It does carry a few risks, such as:
- Infection around the wound
- Scarring
- Blood loss
There’s no guarantee the fibroids that have been removed won’t recur. If you develop them again, you may need to undergo another surgery to have fibroids or the entire uterus removed. However, with advanced surgical procedures and highly skilled gynecologists, the risks of complications have been reduced drastically. The above myomectomy procedure types can remove even multiple or large fibroids effectively.