If you have been recently diagnosed with fibroids, you may be asking yourself, "What do I need to know and how will this affect my life?" Uterine fibroids are also known by many other names such as: fibroid, leiomyomas, myomas or fibromyomas. Fibroids can lead to additional health concerns which is why educating yourself about the causes, symptoms and dangers of fibroids is important to your overall wellbeing. Below is an easy to follow guide to everything you need to know about uterine fibroids.
What are fibroids?
Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) tumors that grow from the muscle layers of the uterus. They are most commonly found in women in their 30s and 40s, but can appear anytime. Most fibroids will disappear when a woman begins menopause due to the change in hormones. However, while fibroids are present, they can cause serious medical issues for those suffering from these growths.
Side Effects of Fibroids
Some women can go through life and not even realize they have fibroids in their uterus. Others aren't so lucky. Uterine fibroids can lead to a variety of health problems, some of which can be quite severe. Side effects of uterine fibroids can include:
- Anemia
- Severe bloating
- Problems with urination
- Infertility
- Pelvic pain
- Heavy periods
If you haven't been diagnosed with fibroids, but suspect you may be suffering from them, there are signs you can look for. Extreme pain in your lower abdomen, heavy or prolonged bleeding during menstruation and bleeding between periods can be signs you may be suffering from fibroids.
Who's at risk?
Unfortunately, some women are more prone to fibroids than others. Women with higher risk factors are:
- Overweight
- Caucasian or African American
- Frequent Red meat eaters
Treatment
You can treat fibroids three different ways. Your symptoms and doctor will be the determining factor in how you handle your specific case. Fibroids can be shrunk with hormone therapy. You will be given a certain dosage of hormones that will put your body in a temporary menopausal state. In doing so, your fibroids may decrease in size, which can decrease pain or excessive bleeding that can accompany fibroids.
If you are suffering from infertility associated with fibroids, doctors can remove them through a process called myomectomy. This is only a temporary fix and your doctor will likely recommend you start trying to get pregnant as quickly as possible, before the fibroids have time to grow back. This is usually a laparoscopic procedure, but if your case is particularly complicated, an incision might be made through the uterine wall.
Lastly, if you are past child-bearing years and dealing with the symptoms of fibroids, your doctor may recommend a hysterectomy. Removing the uterus is the most effective way to rid yourself of bothersome and painful fibroids.
Don't let the effects of fibroids control your life. You don't have to live with the pain and inconvenience associated with this condition. There are treatment and management options that can help you live with (or without) fibroids. Talk to your gynecologist today like those at Naples OBGYN to find out what plan of action is best for you.
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