What is a myomectomy?

A myomectomy is a surgical procedure to remove uterine fibroids while preserving the uterus. This procedure is one of the best treatment options if you have fibroids and want to have children in the future.

What are uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are benign (noncancerous) growths that most often develop in the muscular layer of the uterine wall. However, they can also grow inside the uterine cavity and on or underneath the outer wall of the uterus.

You may have one fibroid or many fibroids. They may be in one area or different areas. Some fibroids stay so small that they can't be detected during a pelvic exam. Others get large and cause serious symptoms. If you have multiple fibroids, each one can grow at a different pace.

What symptoms indicate I may need a myomectomy? 

After fibroids get large enough to cause symptoms, you may experience:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Long menstrual periods
• Bleeding between periods
• Menstrual cramps
• Pelvic pain or aching
• Abdominal bloating
• Recurrent pregnancy loss
• Infertility

Fibroids may also cause a feeling of abdominal heaviness or place pressure on your bladder or bowels.

Do I have treatment options other than myomectomy?

Dr. Okour customizes your treatment based on considerations such as: 

• Number, size, and location of your fibroids
• Type and severity of your symptoms
• Plans for future children
• Personal preferences

Women with small fibroids or minimal symptoms may only need expectant management. Dr. Okour regularly monitors your fibroids to see how quickly they grow and decide when they need treatment.

When you need treatment, you have options, including:

• Medication
• Uterine artery embolization
• Endometrial ablation
• Ultrasound-guided thermal fibroid ablation
• Myomectomy
• Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy is only for women who don't plan to have children.

What type of myomectomy might I receive?

Dr. Okour determines the best type of myomectomy after finishing your preoperative assessment and reviewing your diagnostic imaging. He performs several types of myomectomies:

Minimally invasive surgery

Many, but not all, patients qualify for one of two minimally invasive procedures, a manual or robotic laparoscopy or a hysteroscopic myomectomy.

For a laparoscopy, he makes small incisions in your abdomen. This approach allows him to remove fibroids growing on the uterine wall.

During a hysteroscopic myomectomy, Dr. Okour guides a slim instrument (hysteroscope) through the vagina and cervix and into your uterus. Then he inserts tools through the scope and removes the fibroid in the uterine cavity or muscular layer.

Open surgery

If you have many fibroids or large growths, Dr. Okour may recommend traditional open surgery.

Hybrid approach

A hybrid myomectomy combines a conventional laparoscopy with an additional single incision laparoscopic device.

If you need a myomectomy to remove fibroids, call Southern California Center for Advanced Gynecology, or book an appointment online today.