Fibroids & Symptom Relief: Treating Pain and Heavy Bleeding

• Medications (hormonal birth control, GnRH agonists, or tranexamic acid) can reduce bleeding and shrink fibroids temporarily.
• Minimally invasive procedures like uterine artery embolization or MRI-guided focused ultrasound may relieve symptoms while preserving the uterus.
• Surgical options range from hysteroscopic resection (for submucosal fibroids) to laparoscopic or robotic myomectomy (for larger fibroids).

If fibroids are impacting your quality of life, consult a fibroid specialist,  like Dr. Coussons, who can tailor a treatment plan to your needs.

Fibroids & Fertility: Strategic Treatment for Future Pregnancy

Fibroids can interfere with fertility by blocking fallopian tubes, disrupting implantation, or increasing miscarriage risk—especially if they distort the uterine cavity. However, not all fibroids require treatment before conception. The right approach depends on their size, location, and your reproductive plans:

• Myomectomy (fibroid removal) may improve natural conception when fibroids affect the uterine lining, but surgery isn’t always the first step.
• Egg retrieval before surgery is often recommended if you’re pursuing IVF, as fibroid removal can temporarily impact ovarian response. Freezing eggs or embryos beforehand safeguards your fertility options and freezing eggs at a younger age allows time for surgery and recovery saving months and years of ovarian reserve.
• Future pregnancy considerations matter—some fibroid treatments (like embolization) aren’t ideal if you plan to carry a pregnancy, and myomectomy scars require Cesarean delivery while some approaches to myomectomy allow for safe vaginal delivery.  Even if the fibroids do not have a direct impact on fertility and miscarriages, they may have an impact on labor and delivery. 

Why expertise matters: The first surgery offers the best chance for optimal results with minimal scarring. In addition to being experienced reproductive surgeon,  Dr. Coussons has over 5000 deliveries of OB experience and can optimize pregnancy planning and recommendations for your obstetrician.  We can determine whether to treat fibroids before conception, during IVF planning—ensuring the safest path to your family-building goals.

Over the last 20 years Dr. Coussons has treated 100's of women with uterine fibroids. 99% of the time this is performed with outpatient surgery that is minimally invasive and with rapid recovery. There are now newer medical treatments that are also very effective at controlling heavy bleeding related to fibroids (Oriahn and MyFembree). These medical treatments make it possible to avoid surgery or possibly delay surgery in some patients. Dr. Coussons can order diagnostic tests which may include a pelvic ultrasound and/or an MRI, review records, and make treatment recommendations during an online or in-person consult.

Take Control of Your Health: If fibroids are affecting your fertility or quality of life, schedule a consultation. We’ll help you navigate treatment options with a focus on both symptom relief and/or your long-term reproductive future.