What are fibroids?
Made of fibrous connective tissue and smooth muscle cells, fibroids are compact tumors that develop in your uterus. Fibroids can range in size, from as small as a pea to as a large as a baseball. Most often benign, these growths can be the underlying cause of your infertility.
What are the symptoms of fibroids?
Some women experience mild symptoms, while others suffer from severe, disruptive symptoms. You could have fibroids and not show any symptoms at all. Although everyone may experience the symptoms differently, the most common symptoms for uterine fibroids include:
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual periods
- Abnormal bleeding between menstrual periods
- Pelvic pain
- Lower back pain
- Frequent urination
- Pain during sex
- Anemia
- A firm mass, often located near the middle of your pelvis
How are fibroids diagnosed?
Fibroids are most often found when Dr. Chandrasekhara performs a routine pelvic and abdominal examination. She may detect a firm, irregular pelvic mass. Other diagnostic procedures for uterine fibroids may include:
- X-ray
- Transvaginal ultrasound
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Hysterosalpingography
- Hysteroscopy
- Endometrial biopsy
- Blood test
How can you treat fibroids?
Most of the time your fibroids will stop growing or even shrink the closer you get to menopause. Dr. Chandrasekhara can monitor your symptoms to ensure that are no significant changes or developments and that your fibroid isn’t growing. If you’re suffering from a large fibroid or it’s causing severe pain, treatment options include:
- Hysterectomy: Surgical removal of your entire uterus.
- Myomectomy: Removal of your fibroids, while the uterus is left intact to enable pregnancy in the future.
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH): An approach that lowers your levels of estrogen, triggering a "medical menopause."
- Anti-hormonal agents: Use of drugs like progestin and Danazol, which oppose estrogen and appear effective in treating fibroids.
- Uterine artery embolization (UAE): A minimally invasive technique that blocks off the blood supply to your fibroids, which ultimately shrinks them.
- Anti-inflammatory painkillers: Often effective in managing occasional pelvic pain or discomfort.
Who is most at risk for developing fibroids?
Women approaching menopause are at the greatest risk for fibroids because of their long exposure to high levels of estrogen. Women who are obese and of African-American heritage also seem to be at an increased risk for developing fibroids as well.
If you think you might be suffering from fibroids, don’t hesitate to call Dr. Chandrasekhara, or schedule an appointment online.a
