Given that many fibroids will go either unnoticed or symptomless, treatment isn’t always necessary, but if your fibroids are causing unpleasant side effects, options are available.

“The treatment options depend on several factors such as the size, location, and severity of symptoms, as well as the age and life stage of the woman,” says Dr Wall. “If a woman is approaching menopause, treatment may not be necessary, as the fibroids should shrink. However, if the patient is hoping to get pregnant, treatment may be required to avoid potential fertility issues.”

Treatment options include:

Watchful waiting: If symptoms are mild or absent, fibroids may be monitored without intervention.
Medications: “Hormonal treatments, such as birth control pills or gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists (drugs that prevent oestrogen production), can help manage symptoms by regulating hormone levels,” says Dr Misra-Sharp. “Non-hormonal treatments for pain and heavy bleeding, such as NSAIDs or tranexamic acid, may also be prescribed.”
Minimally invasive procedures: techniques such as ultrasound or uterine artery embolization (UAE) – a procedure that uses a catheter to block blood flow to the fibroid – can reduce blood flow to fibroids, thereby shrinking them.
Surgery: “Myomectomy (surgical removal of fibroids) can be an option for women who wish to preserve their uterus,” says Dr Misra-Sharp. “In severe cases, a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) may be recommended, particularly if childbearing is not a concern.”

Fibroids affect up to two-thirds of women, so why don’t we know more about them?