Fibroids

What are fibroids?

Fibroids are growths that can develop in the uterus during your childbearing years. Also known as leiomyomas or myomas, uterine fibroids are noncancerous. Fibroids can range in size from tiny nodules that can’t be seen by the naked eye to masses that are large enough to distort the uterus.

What symptoms do fibroids cause?

Women often have uterine fibroids without knowing it because fibroids usually don’t cause symptoms. Fibroids, like ovarian cysts, are often discovered during a routine exam.

If you do have symptoms, the most common are:

• Heavy bleeding during your period
• Periods that last more than a week
• Pain or a feeling of pressure in the pelvic region
• Frequent urination
• Problems emptying your bladder
• Constipation
• Backache
• Pain in your legs

In rare instances, fibroids cause severe pain.

How are fibroids diagnosed?

The first stage in diagnosis is a review of your symptoms and a pelvic exam. If your provider at Opulence Health and Wellness can feel any anomalies in your uterus that indicate you have fibroids, they can confirm this with diagnostic testing using ultrasound or MRI.

Your doctor is likely to order a complete blood count to check for other problems that could be causing your symptoms.

What treatments are available for fibroids?

If your fibroids aren’t causing any symptoms, then you may wish to simply monitor them and take action only if they start causing problems. Fibroids are not malignant, and they don’t normally have any adverse effects on conception or pregnancy.

If you are experiencing bothersome symptoms, your doctor can prescribe medications and solutions to help with pain, heavy bleeding, and the feeling of pressure, such as:

• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists
• Progestin-releasing intrauterine device (IUD)
• Oral contraceptives or progestins
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Medications don’t get rid of uterine fibroids altogether, but some may help fibroids shrink. Your doctor at Opulence Health and Wellness may also recommend non-invasive procedures that shrink or destroy the fibroids.

If your uterine fibroids keep recurring after conservative treatments, you may need a surgical procedure to remove the growths. Your doctor may recommend a procedure to clear out your uterine lining, a surgery that removes just the fibroids, or in severe cases, a hysterectomy to remove the uterus. 

Some of these options can affect your ability to become pregnant, but the team takes time to go through the choices with you so you can make the right decision for your well-being.

If you’re concerned about fibroids or you need to schedule a well-woman exam, call Opulence Health and Wellness today or book online.