Treatment Options for Uterine Fibroids in Wellesley, MA | Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates
Fibroids can affect every woman differently, and your treatment plan should be just as unique as your symptoms. Whether your fibroids are causing heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, or discomfort that disrupts your daily life, our team at Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates is here to walk you through every available option so you can make the choice that’s right for you and your body.
To discuss your fibroid symptoms and treatment options in Wellesley, call (781) 235-4000 or request an appointment online.
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Understanding Your Fibroid Treatment Options
Uterine fibroids are common noncancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus, affecting a large percentage of women at some point in their lives. Not every fibroid requires treatment, but when symptoms begin interfering with your quality of life, you deserve a range of options tailored to your goals, whether that means managing your symptoms, shrinking fibroids, or exploring more definitive solutions.
Our approach starts with a thorough evaluation and an honest conversation about what matters most to you: preserving fertility, avoiding surgery, minimizing downtime, or simply finding lasting relief. From there, we’ll help you understand which of the following paths may be the best fit.
Fibroid Medications
For many women, medication is the first step in managing fibroid symptoms. While no drug therapy eliminates fibroids entirely, certain medications can meaningfully reduce their size and ease the symptoms they cause.
Some medications work by lowering estrogen and progesterone levels, which can help shrink fibroids and relieve discomfort. Other approaches, such as contraceptive pills, don’t necessarily change the size of the fibroid but can be highly effective at controlling excessive menstrual bleeding, so you can live with and manage your cycles with more comfort, ease, and convenience. Our medication-based treatment selection is often a good starting point for women with mild to moderate symptoms, or for those looking to manage their fibroids before deciding on a more permanent solution.
Surgical Procedures
For fibroids that are larger, more numerous, or causing significant symptoms, surgery may offer the most definitive relief. The two most common surgical approaches are:
- Myomectomy
This procedure involves surgically removing the fibroids themselves while leaving the uterus intact, making it a preferred option for women who wish to preserve their fertility or simply keep their uterus. - Hysterectomy
For women who have completed childbearing or are seeking a permanent solution, hysterectomy involves the surgical removal of the entire uterus. This eliminates fibroids completely, along with the possibility of them recurring in the future.
Both procedures are major surgeries, so our team will take the time to walk you through what to expect, including recovery timelines and how each option may affect your long-term health and fertility goals.
Alternative, Minimally Invasive Procedures
For women who want to preserve their uterus, there are minimally invasive alternatives that can provide significant symptom relief without the recovery time associated with traditional surgery.
- Sonata Treatment
The Sonata Treatment is an incision-free procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to shrink fibroids from inside the uterus. Because there are no incisions involved, recovery is typically quick, often just a couple of days, and the uterus is fully preserved throughout the process. - Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
UFE is a minimally invasive procedure performed by threading a thin catheter through the arteries to the blood vessels supplying the fibroid. Small particles are then delivered through the catheter to block blood flow to the fibroid, causing it to gradually shrink over the following weeks and months. Because UFE doesn’t require an incision in the uterus itself, many women experience a shorter recovery compared to traditional surgery, with most returning to normal activities within one to two weeks.
Both of these options are well-suited for women who want lasting relief from fibroid symptoms without undergoing a hysterectomy or myomectomy.
Finding the Right Treatment for You
There’s no single “best” treatment for uterine fibroids. The right choice depends on the size, number, and location of your fibroids, your symptoms, your fertility goals, and your personal preferences. That’s why our team takes a personalized approach to every fibroid consultation, ensuring you fully understand each option before deciding on a path forward.
Why Choose Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates for Fibroid Care?
Since 1963, women across the greater Boston area have trusted our practice for expert, compassionate gynecologic care, and fibroid treatment is no exception. We’re proud to offer the full spectrum of fibroid treatment options, from medication management to advanced, minimally invasive procedures like Sonata and UFE, so you have access to the most current, evidence-based care available.
Above all, we’re committed to treating you as a whole person. That means listening closely to your symptoms and goals, explaining every option clearly, and helping you choose the treatment path that truly fits your life.
Schedule Your Fibroid Consultation Today
If fibroid symptoms have been affecting your daily life, don’t wait to explore your options. Call (781) 235-4000 or request an appointment online to schedule your consultation.
Treatment For Uterine Fibroids FAQS
Do all fibroids need to be treated?
Not necessarily. Many women have fibroids that cause no symptoms at all and require no treatment beyond routine monitoring. Treatment is typically recommended when fibroids begin causing symptoms such as heavy bleeding, pain, or pressure that affects your quality of life. Your OB/GYN can help determine whether watchful waiting or active treatment is the right approach for you.
How are uterine fibroids diagnosed?
Fibroids are most commonly diagnosed during a pelvic exam, when your doctor may feel an irregularity in the shape of the uterus. From there, imaging such as an ultrasound is typically used to confirm the diagnosis and determine the size, number, and location of the fibroids. In some cases, an MRI may be recommended for a more detailed view.
Can fibroids come back after treatment?
Whether fibroids can return depends on the treatment chosen. A hysterectomy eliminates the possibility of recurrence entirely since the uterus is removed. Other treatments, including myomectomy, UFE, and Sonata, preserve the uterus, which means new fibroids can potentially develop over time, though many women experience long-lasting relief from their original symptoms.
Can fibroids affect my ability to get pregnant?
Depending on their size and location, fibroids can sometimes interfere with fertility or increase the risk of complications during pregnancy. If you’re planning to conceive, it’s important to discuss your fibroids with your OB/GYN, as certain treatment options are better suited than others for women who wish to preserve their fertility.
How do I know which fibroid treatment is right for me?
The right treatment depends on several factors, including the size and location of your fibroids, the severity of your symptoms, your fertility goals, and your personal preferences around surgery and recovery time. Scheduling a consultation with your OB/GYN is the best way to review your options and build a treatment plan tailored specifically to you.