Table of contents
Uterine fibroids
Guidelines
Key sources
The following summarized guidelines for the evaluation and management of uterine fibroids are prepared by our editorial team based on guidelines from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC 2024,2023,2019,2015), the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC 2023), the American College of Radiology (ACR 2022), the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM 2017), and the American ...
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Screening and diagnosis
Clinical presentation
As per ASRM 2017 guidelines:
Insufficient evidence to conclude that uterine fibroids reduce the likelihood of achieving pregnancy with or without fertility treatment.
I
Insufficient evidence to determine that a specific fibroid size, number, or location (excluding submucosal fibroids or intramural fibroids impacting the endometrial cavity contour) is associated with a reduced likelihood of achieving pregnancy or an increased risk of early pregnancy loss.
I
Diagnostic investigations
Diagnostic procedures
Hysteroscopy: as per AAGL 2012 guidelines, recognize that hysteroscopy is highly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of submucous leiomyomas, and is more sensitive and specific than hysterosalpingography and transvaginal ultrasound, but is inferior to MRI in characterizing the relationship of submucous fibroids to the myometrium and perimetrium.
A
Medical management
General principles: as per SOGC 2015 guidelines, individualize the treatment of patients with uterine fibroids based on symptoms, size and location of fibroids, age, need and desire of the patient to preserve fertility or the uterus, the availability of therapy, and the experience of the clinician.
B
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Expectant management
Hormone therapy
Selective progesterone receptor modulators
Therapeutic procedures
Uterine artery embolization: as per SOGC 2015 guidelines, consider offering uterine artery occlusion by embolization or surgical methods for selected symptomatic patients with uterine fibroids wishing to preserve their uterus. Counsel patients choosing uterine artery occlusion for the treatment of uterine fibroids regarding possible risks, including the likelihood that fecundity and pregnancy may be impacted.
B
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Endometrial ablation
Perioperative care
Management of preoperative anemia
As per ESAIC 2023 guidelines:
Consider administering intravenous iron to correct preoperative anemia in patients with menorrhagia.
C
Administer combined EPO and iron in gynecological patients with iron deficiency anemia.
B
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GnRH agonists
Tranexamic acid
Misoprostol
Management of postoperative bleeding
Surgical interventions
Myomectomy: as per SOGC 2024 guidelines, consider performing hysteroscopic myomectomy in patients attempting conception whether unassisted or with ART.
C
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Hysterectomy
Technical considerations for surgery
Specific circumstances
Patients with acute uterine bleeding: as per SOGC 2015 guidelines, consider offering conservative management with estrogens, selective progesterone receptor modulators, antifibrinolytics, Foley catheter tamponade, and/or operative hysteroscopic intervention in patients presenting with acute uterine bleeding associated with uterine fibroids.
C
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