Is There Really No Cure? The Truth About Living and Thriving With Fibroids

Is There Really No Cure? The Truth About Living and Thriving With Fibroids

When you’re told “there’s no cure” for uterine fibroids, it can feel discouraging. The reality is more nuanced—and more hopeful. While fibroids are common and can be stubborn, a range of effective treatments exist to control symptoms, protect fertility for many, and, in some cases, permanently resolve the problem. With the right information and care team, many people not only live with fibroids—they thrive.

What Are Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) are noncancerous growths of the muscle of the uterus. They vary in size and number and can grow within the uterine wall, inside the cavity, or on the outer surface. Symptoms range from none at all to heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure, frequent urination, pain, painful sex, and fertility or pregnancy complications. Fibroids are extremely common; by age 50, a large proportion of women will have them. Black women are more likely to develop fibroids, develop them at younger ages, and experience more severe symptoms and complications than white women, reflecting both biological and structural factors that drive disparities in care.

So, Is There a “Cure” for Fibroids?

It depends on how we define “cure.” Fibroids themselves are benign tumors driven by hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Some treatments manage symptoms without removing fibroids; others remove or destroy fibroids; and one definitive option removes the uterus.

  • Definitive cure for fibroid-related symptoms: Hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) eliminates the possibility of fibroids returning and permanently resolves heavy bleeding due to fibroids. It is not appropriate for those who wish to carry a pregnancy.
  • Durable treatment with possible recurrence: Myomectomy removes existing fibroids and can provide long-lasting relief while preserving the uterus and potential fertility. However, new fibroids can develop in the future.
  • Symptom control: Medications and minimally invasive procedures can reduce bleeding and shrink or destroy fibroids to improve quality of life. These approaches may not be permanent for everyone but can be highly effective.

Bottom line: There are many ways to control fibroids and live well—“no cure” doesn’t mean “no help.”

When to Watch and When to Treat

Not all fibroids need treatment. If you have small fibroids without bothersome symptoms, your clinician may recommend “watchful waiting” with periodic checks. Consider treatment if you have:

  • Heavy or prolonged periods (soaking a pad/tampon every 1–2 hours, passing large clots)
  • Iron-deficiency anemia (fatigue, shortness of breath, paleness)
  • Pelvic pressure or pain, urinary frequency, constipation, or back pain tied to fibroids
  • Difficulty getting or staying pregnant related to fibroids

Seek urgent care for severe bleeding (soaking through protection every hour for several hours, dizziness, fainting) or severe pain.

Treatment Options: From Pills to Procedures

Medications

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can reduce menstrual cramps but don’t shrink fibroids.
  • Tranexamic acid is a non-hormonal medicine taken during menses to reduce heavy bleeding.
  • Hormonal options including combined oral contraceptives, progestin-only pills, and the levonorgestrel intrauterine device (IUD) can decrease bleeding and pain for many.
  • GnRH agonists (e.g., leuprolide) temporarily induce a low-estrogen state to shrink fibroids and reduce bleeding; commonly used before surgery or short-term due to side effects like hot flashes and bone loss.
  • Oral GnRH antagonists with “add-back” therapy are FDA-approved for heavy menstrual bleeding due to fibroids. These include elagolix with estradiol/norethindrone (Oriahnn) and relugolix with estradiol/norethindrone (Myfembree). They can significantly reduce bleeding and improve symptoms, typically used for up to 24 months with monitoring for bone health.

Medication choice depends on your symptoms, other health conditions, and reproductive plans.

Uterus-Preserving Procedures

  • Myomectomy: Surgical removal of fibroids while leaving the uterus intact. Approaches include hysteroscopic (through the cervix for cavity fibroids), laparoscopic/robotic (minimally invasive), or open surgery for very large or numerous fibroids. It is the preferred option for many seeking pregnancy. Recurrence can occur over time.
  • Uterine artery embolization (UAE/UFE): An interventional radiology procedure blocking blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink and relieving bleeding and pressure in most patients. It’s uterus-sparing but may not be ideal for some fertility goals. Recovery is usually faster than surgery.
  • Radiofrequency ablation (RFA): Uses targeted heat to destroy fibroid tissue via laparoscopic or transcervical approaches. It reduces symptoms and recovery time can be short. Data on future fertility are evolving; discuss with your specialist if you plan pregnancy.
  • MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS): Noninvasive ultrasound energy used to thermally ablate fibroids under MRI guidance in selected cases. Availability is limited, and not everyone is a candidate.

Definitive Procedure

  • Hysterectomy: Removes the uterus and definitively resolves fibroid-related bleeding and pressure. The cervix and ovaries may or may not be removed depending on your situation. Recovery time and surgical approach (vaginal, laparoscopic, abdominal) vary. Not an option for those wishing to carry a pregnancy.

Fertility and Pregnancy Considerations

Many people with fibroids conceive and carry healthy pregnancies. Submucosal fibroids (inside the uterine cavity) are most likely to impact fertility or miscarriage risk; removing them via hysteroscopic myomectomy can help in select cases. Large intramural fibroids may affect fertility or pregnancy outcomes depending on size and location. If pregnancy is a goal, speak with a gynecologist or reproductive endocrinologist about which treatments support your plans and the right timing.

Living Well With Fibroids: Practical Strategies

  • Track your symptoms: Log bleeding days, flow, pain, and any bulk symptoms. This helps you and your clinician measure progress.
  • Address anemia: Ask for a blood count if you have heavy periods. Iron-rich foods (beans, lentils, leafy greens, lean meats) and iron supplements if prescribed can rebuild stores.
  • Manage pain safely: Heat therapy, rest, and NSAIDs can help. Avoid exceeding recommended doses and check with your clinician if you have kidney, stomach, or bleeding conditions.
  • Supportive lifestyle: While no diet cures fibroids, maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, and not smoking support overall hormonal and cardiovascular health. Limited research suggests vitamin D deficiency is common among people with fibroids; discuss testing and safe supplementation with your clinician.
  • Mental health matters: Chronic symptoms can affect mood, energy, and sexual health. Consider counseling, support groups, or pelvic floor physical therapy if pain with sex is an issue.
  • Shared decision-making: Your values—future fertility, recovery time, tolerance for recurrence risk—should guide your plan. Ask for second opinions if needed.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

  • Which fibroids are causing my symptoms (size, number, and location)?
  • What are my options to control bleeding now, and which protect or preserve fertility?
  • Am I a candidate for myomectomy, UAE, RFA, or MRgFUS? What are the pros and cons for me?
  • How will each option affect my recovery time, recurrence risk, and future pregnancy?
  • How will we monitor my anemia and overall health?

The Takeaway

“No cure” doesn’t mean “no control.” From medications to minimally invasive procedures to definitive surgery, most people can find a plan that aligns with their goals and restores quality of life. Partner with a clinician you trust, ask questions, and choose the path that helps you feel like yourself again.

Trusted Resources

  • NIH MedlinePlus: Uterine fibroids – https://medlineplus.gov/uterinefibroids.html
  • NICHD/NIH: Uterine fibroids overview and risk – https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/uterine/conditioninfo
  • ACOG Patient FAQ: Uterine Fibroids – https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/uterine-fibroids
  • FDA: First oral therapy for heavy menstrual bleeding due to fibroids (elagolix combination) – https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-oral-drug-treat-women-heavy-menstrual-bleeding-associated-uterine-fibroids
  • FDA: Relugolix combination (Myfembree) approval for fibroid-related heavy bleeding – https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-therapy-heavy-menstrual-bleeding-associated-uterine-fibroids

Related Posts

Back to blog