The procedure is often done for women who still want to have children. A hysterectomy is still frequently required following a myomectomy. A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the entire uterus. The woman becomes unable to have children after a hysterectomy. There are several hormonal therapies available.
Hormonal therapy can decrease the symptoms and the tumor size.
However, rapid regrowth of the fibroids usually occurs when the hormone therapy is stopped. Uterine artery embolization is the selective blocking of arteries supplying blood to the uterus and the fibroids. This procedure has only been done for fibroids since 1991. At least 14 normal term pregnancies and births have occurred following uterine artery embolization. However, the affects of the procedure on the body's ability to become pregnant and have a normal pregnancy are not known.