While many fibroids do not need treatment, others can cause abnormal uterine bleeding, pressure, pain, or infertility.

Many fibroids can be removed by operative hysteroscopy or operative laparoscopy. Fibroids up to 8cm can be removed by operative laparoscopy. If the fibroid is larger then 8cm or if there are many fibroids an abdominal myomectomy must be performed.

An abdominal myomectomy is the removal of fibroids through an incision in the abdomen. It is usually done through a horizontal ("bikini") incision, even for large fibroids. There is no limit to the size or number of fibroids that can be removed. Abdominal myomectomy is done in a hospital, and women usually can go home within 72 hours of surgery. Usually there is little loss of blood when a surgeon does a myomectomy with extensive experience in the procedure.

Recovery varies tremendously from person to person. Most women can return to work that does not require heavy lifting in 4 weeks. Some women can return in 2 weeks and some women take 6 weeks.