Surgery advice? 3 fibroids, two submucosal
Hi all, my follow up appt with my surgeon is on Tues and I'm in need of some advice. I'm 42 and am open to having a hysterectomy, but given possible long-term complications (e.g. incontinence, prolapse) I want to be 100% sure I'm not overlooking any less drastic choices. Here is the info:
- I have 3 fibroids, two submucosal and one intramural. The gynecologist who did my last ultrasound felt that my largest submucosal (a 5cm FIGO type 2, fundal) is not possible to remove hysteroscopically. That's the one likely causing most of my pain so leaving it there is not an option!
- The drs also feel that doing a less invasive procedure to shrink them (e.g. UFE) would still leave me with significant symptoms, since this would only shrink them 50-60% and the submucosal ones can cause symptoms even if they're small. The gyno who did my last ultrasound said I could always try a UFE first, and see if I can live with whatever symptoms I end up having. But my periods were so excruciating before I started taking birth control that I can't accept going back to even 50% of that pain....
- Unfortunately, both the gynos I've seen have taken the position that they "don't usually recommend" myomectomy to women who are older and who do not want children, as myomectomy is more complex surgery and carries higher surgical risks than hysterectomy ("we open your uterus like a book" for myomectomy were the exact words used!). However, I would be willing to accept that risk (since the overall risks are still low), if I could be confident that I wouldn't end up needing another surgery within 5 years to remove new fibroids. I've ready MANY of you have ended up with multiple myomectomies, so that's my worry!
What would you do in my case - particularly those of you who have had submucosals?? Have any of you had larger submucosals that were successfully treated another way and where the benefits lasted for years?