What is the typical management approach for symptomatic uterine fibroids?

• A. Observation only
• B. Antibiotic therapy
• C. Hormonal therapy or surgery
• D. Radiation therapy

Answer: (C)

The typical management approach for symptomatic uterine fibroids often involves hormonal therapy or surgery. This stems from the fact that symptomatic fibroids can cause significant issues such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and pressure symptoms, which can severely affect a woman's quality of life.

Hormonal therapy aims to manage symptoms by regulating menstrual cycles and reducing excessive bleeding. Options like oral contraceptives, progestins, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists can help shrink fibroids or alleviate symptoms. However, these hormonal therapies may not eliminate fibroids completely and are often more effective for symptom management rather than definitive treatment.

In cases where symptoms remain significant despite medical management, or if the fibroids are large, surgical options become necessary. This includes procedures like myomectomy, which involves removing the fibroids while preserving the uterus, or hysterectomy, which is the removal of the uterus itself. Surgical intervention is often considered for women who have completed their childbearing or those with very large fibroids or those causing severe symptoms that do not respond to hormonal treatments.

Other approaches, like observation, are typically reserved for women who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms where the fibroids do not significantly interfere with quality of life. Antibiotic