Heal your emotions

“In Chinese medicine gynecology, there are a lot of energy pathways running through the uterus that definitely are affected by emotions,” Raupp says. “If you’re not expressing emotions completely, that’ll create stagnation, and that can cause an accumulation of substances in certain areas, like fibroids. And then you have to explore that and deal with it.” Stress, too, may play a significant role. “Every woman has a weak spot, and because stress causes hormonal fluctuations, for some women it could manifest in fibroids,” says Kogan. If this strikes a chord with you, consider consulting a licensed acupuncturist or someone trained in energy-medicine, such as a Reiki or qigong practitioner.

Less invasive options for fibroids

• Endometrial ablation.To end heavy bleeding, several outpatient methods exist for removing the uterine lining through the vagina. Ask your gynecologist to detail these different techniques, including microwave, balloon, and hot- or cold-water ablation.

• Hysteroscopic myomectomy (also called resection).Some fibroids can be removed directly through the vaginal opening and cervix, using a scope that allows the doctor to see exactly what he or she is doing. Laparoscopic myomectomy (using tiny abdominal incisions) is also available for smaller fibroids.

• MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery (FUS).This technique uses high-intensity ultrasound waves to destroy fibroids. Results look promising, but no long-term studies on this method or possible fibroid recurrence yet exist.

• Uterine artery embolization (UAE).A recent and specialized technique, this entails a radiologist inserting miniature granules that block blood flow to the fibroid. UAE may not be appropriate for submucosal fibroids (bulging into the inner cavity of the uterus) because dead tissue can detach into the uterus, causing infection and possibly requiring later removal.