Sometimes the answer is to watch and wait
If your fibroids aren't causing symptoms, often no treatment is needed at all — just monitoring. Fibroids also tend to shrink naturally after menopause as hormone levels fall, so for women close to menopause, watchful waiting is sometimes the most sensible approach.
Treatment is generally guided by your symptoms, not just the presence of fibroids, so 'doing nothing for now' is a legitimate option when they're not bothering you.
Medication options
When fibroids cause heavy or painful periods, medication is often the first step. Options can include hormonal treatments like the hormonal IUD (which can reduce heavy bleeding), the pill, or other medicines that manage bleeding and pain. Some medications can temporarily shrink fibroids or reduce bleeding before a procedure.
Treating heavy bleeding also protects against iron deficiency, so your GP may check and treat your iron levels alongside managing the fibroids.
Procedures and surgery
For larger or more troublesome fibroids, procedures range from uterine artery embolisation (which cuts off a fibroid's blood supply) to surgery that removes just the fibroids (myomectomy) or, in some cases, the uterus (hysterectomy). The right choice depends on your symptoms, the size and location of the fibroids, and whether you want to preserve fertility.
There's usually more than one reasonable option, and the decision is yours to make with your doctor. A telehealth consult can explain the choices and arrange the right referral for your situation.
References & sources
- 1.Uterine fibroids — healthdirect
- 2.Fibroids — Better Health Channel
- 3.Fibroids — Jean Hailes for Women's Health
This content is general information and not a substitute for individual medical advice. Please consult a GP for your personal situation.
Ready to speak with a GP?
Book a private telehealth consult with an AHPRA-registered Australian GP.