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Compare fibroid treatment options.

Fibroid treatments range from monitoring and medicines to procedures that keep the uterus and surgery that removes it. This page lists every common option side by side, including uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), focused ultrasound, myomectomy, and hysterectomy, with how each works and questions to ask. It is education, not a recommendation for you.

A neutral overview of procedures people commonly discuss with clinicians. Not medical advice, and not a statement about what is right for you.

This comparison is educational. Talk with your doctor about these options.

Fibroid treatment options at a glance. Every option is listed, in the same order as the cards below. No option is ranked.

Fibroid treatment options at a glance
OptionHow it worksAnesthesia and settingTypical recoveryUterus keptEvidence note
Monitoring (watchful waiting)Regular follow-up of symptoms and fibroid size, without active treatment.None; no procedureNo recovery; ongoing check-insYesFibroids may grow over time; treatment can start if symptoms change.
Medication (hormonal or non-hormonal)Prescription medicines to manage bleeding, pain, or fibroid size.None; no procedureNo recovery; daily or cyclical useYesSymptoms often return when the medicine is stopped.
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)A catheter blocks blood flow to fibroids so they shrink.Many people go home the same day or the next day; ask about anesthesiaTypically 1–2 weeksYesIn randomized trials, about 1 in 3 people needed another procedure within 5 to 10 years.
Endometrial AblationDestroys the uterine lining to reduce bleeding. Not a fibroid treatment itself.Usually same-day discharge; ask about anesthesiaMost resume activity in a few daysYes, but not an option if you want a future pregnancyBleeding can return, and it may need repeating.
MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS)Focused ultrasound, guided by MRI, heats and destroys fibroid tissue.Same-day outpatient, no incisions; ask about anesthesiaMost resume normal activity quicklyYesLimited long-term data; not all fibroid types can be treated.
Myomectomy (surgical removal)Surgery removes fibroids through an incision or laparoscopy.Surgery; ask about anesthesia2–6 weeks, depending on the surgical routeYesNew fibroids can grow after removal.
Hysteroscopic MyomectomyRemoves submucosal fibroids through the cervix, with no abdominal incision.No incisions; ask about anesthesiaMost resume normal activity within 1–2 daysYesOnly for submucosal fibroids that extend into the cavity.
HysterectomySurgery removes the uterus.Major surgery; ask about anesthesiaFull recovery typically takes 4–6 weeksNoFibroids cannot recur, and a future pregnancy is not possible.

Treatment options people commonly discuss with clinicians

Every option is listed. Answer a few questions if you want topic overlap marked. A mark is education, not advice that an option is right for you. There is no ranking.

View visit checklistMark topic overlap

Non-procedural and no-incision options

No incision
Non-procedural

Monitoring (watchful waiting)

Regular follow-up without active treatment, monitoring symptoms and fibroid size.

Recovery: No recovery; ongoing surveillance.

Trade-offs to discuss
  • Appropriate for mild or asymptomatic fibroids.
  • Fibroids may grow over time.
  • Periodic imaging or symptom tracking is recommended.
  • May transition to active treatment if symptoms change.
Non-procedural

Medication (hormonal or non-hormonal)

Prescription treatments to manage bleeding, pain, or fibroid size. Not a permanent solution.

Recovery: No recovery; ongoing daily or cyclical use.

Trade-offs to discuss
  • Can reduce bleeding and pain while planning next steps.
  • Symptoms often return when medication is stopped.
  • Some medications have side effects or usage time limits.
  • May shrink fibroids temporarily (GnRH agents) for surgical planning.

Minimally invasive procedures

Minimally invasive
Minimally invasive

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)

A catheter-based procedure that blocks blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink.

Recovery: Many people go home the same day or the next day. Typical recovery is 1–2 weeks.

Trade-offs to discuss
  • Preserves the uterus.
  • Symptoms can return or persist. In randomized trials, about 1 in 3 people needed another procedure within 5 to 10 years.
  • Not all fibroids shrink equally — location and vascularity matter.
  • Pregnancy after UFE is possible but discuss timing with your clinician.
Minimally invasive

Endometrial Ablation

Destroys the uterine lining to reduce bleeding. Not a fibroid treatment per se.

Recovery: Usually same-day discharge; most resume activity in a few days.

Trade-offs to discuss
  • Reduces bleeding but does not treat fibroids directly.
  • Not an option if you want future pregnancy.
  • May need repeat treatment; bleeding can return.
  • Can complicate future uterine evaluation.
Non-invasive

MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS)

Uses focused ultrasound waves under MRI guidance to heat and destroy fibroid tissue.

Recovery: Same-day procedure; most resume normal activity quickly.

Trade-offs to discuss
  • No incisions; performed on an outpatient basis.
  • Not all fibroid types are treatable with MRgFUS.
  • Limited long-term data compared to other options.
  • May not be covered by all insurance plans.

Uterus-preserving surgeries

Uterus preserving
Moderate invasiveness

Myomectomy (surgical removal)

Surgical removal of fibroids through an incision or laparoscopy, preserving the uterus.

Recovery: Recovery ranges from 2–6 weeks depending on surgical route.

Trade-offs to discuss
  • Preserves the uterus and fertility.
  • New fibroids can grow after removal.
  • May require C-section for future deliveries depending on the incision.
  • Laparoscopic vs. open route affects recovery time.
Least invasive surgical

Hysteroscopic Myomectomy

Removal of submucosal fibroids through the cervix with no abdominal incision.

Recovery: Most people resume normal activity within 1–2 days.

Trade-offs to discuss
  • No incisions; fastest surgical recovery.
  • Only applicable for submucosal fibroids that extend into the cavity.
  • May need to be combined with other procedures for non-cavity fibroids.
  • Pregnancy is possible after healing.

Definitive surgery

Definitive
Most invasive

Hysterectomy

Surgical removal of the uterus. The most definitive treatment for fibroids.

Recovery: Full recovery typically takes 4–6 weeks.

Trade-offs to discuss
  • Definitive: fibroids cannot recur.
  • Eliminates future pregnancy.
  • Major surgery with surgical risks.
  • Recovery time depends on surgical route (laparoscopic, robotic, open).
This comparison is educational only. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a statement that any option fits you. Discuss these options with your clinician.

More about these options

People with fibroids are often offered more than one treatment. This page lists treatments people commonly discuss with a gynecologist or an interventional radiologist. The list is for learning. It does not rank the options, and it does not say that any option fits you.

Some medicines mainly reduce bleeding. Others, such as GnRH agonists, can shrink fibroids for a while. Fibroids usually grow back after that medicine is stopped. Ask what a given medicine is expected to do, and for how long.

Uterine fibroid embolization, often called UFE, blocks blood flow to fibroids through a small puncture. The uterus stays in place. Symptoms can return or persist. In randomized trials, about 1 in 3 people needed another procedure within 5 to 10 years. Risks include infection, bleeding or bruising, injury to an artery or the uterus, passing fibroid tissue, ongoing discharge, and early menopause or reduced ovarian function. Ask your care team how your age and plans affect your options. If pregnancy matters to you, ask how UFE could affect it. Ask how your team confirms your symptoms come from fibroids before UFE.

Myomectomy removes fibroids and leaves the uterus. New fibroids can grow later. Hysterectomy removes the uterus, so fibroids there cannot come back, and a future pregnancy is not possible. People also discuss watching symptoms over time, endometrial ablation for bleeding, and MRI-guided focused ultrasound. Ablation does not treat the fibroids themselves, and it is not a choice if you want a future pregnancy.

Every card above stays on the page. If you mark a few topics, a note may show where those topics overlap with a card. That note is for learning. It is not a statement that an option fits you. Use the cards to prepare questions for your own clinician.

How to read your fibroid MRI report explains MRI report words in plain language. It does not interpret your scan. Talk with your doctor about your own report.

Monitoring, medicines, and procedures that keep the uterus are explained in non-surgical fibroid treatment.

Sources

The UFE card's note about needing another procedure comes from two randomized trials. About 1 in 3 people needed another procedure within 5 to 10 years.

REST trial, 5-year results (PMID 21481151) · EMMY trial, 10-year results (PMID 27393268)

Talk with your doctor. This page is educational preparation only. ProcedurePath does not collect your email, health details, or answers. Use the questions here in a visit with your own clinician.