Many women have growths in the uterus called fibroids. You may not be aware of fibroids because there are no signs and symptoms for them. However, symptoms like heavy menstrual bleeding and pain in your pelvic area may indicate you have fibroids. You should visit Nathalie Gutierrez-Prieto OBGYN at Women’s Healthcare Physicians of Naples for fibroids diagnosis and treatment.
What are fibroids?
Fibroids, also called leiomyomas, are growths inside your uterus that appear especially during your child-bearing years. Uterine fibroids vary in size, from small fibroids which your doctor can’t see using just his eyes, to very large fibroids that enlarge your uterus and increase the size of your lower abdomen. Fibroids are classified into four types depending on their growth location in the uterus.
· Intramural fibroids grow in the muscular wall of your uterus and are the most common type of fibroids.
· Submucosal fibroids develop in the myometrium of your uterus.
· Pedunculated fibroids develop support called a peduncle used for attachment.
· Subserosal fibroids grow outside your uterus.
Particular symptoms may indicate your possibility of having growth in your uterus. For example:
· Pain in your back and legs
· Frequent urge to urinate
· Heavy menstrual bleeding
· Pressure and pain in your pelvic region
· Prolonged menstrual bleeding
· Pain during sex
Diagnosis of fibroids
However, it is possible to have fibroids in your uterus and fail to have any symptoms. It is therefore crucial that you visit your doctor, who will examine your pelvic area and uterus using methods like:
Ultrasound. Your doctor will place an ultrasound device inside your vagina to get images of your uterus.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This test shows more clearly the size and location of your fibroids. Your doctor will use this diagnosis if you have a larger uterus.
Saline infusion sonogram. Your doctor will use sterile saline to enlarge your uterus, which increases the visibility of growth.
Lab tests. In heavy menstrual bleeding, your doctor may recommend a complete blood count to eliminate thyroid problems.
Fibroids Treatment methods
After the examination, your fibroids specialist will recommend a treatment that is suitable for you. There are different types of treatments that your doctor may prescribe for you, including the use of drugs such as:
Tranexamic acid. This medicine is non-hormonal. Your doctor will require you to take this drug during your menstrual periods to reduce heavy bleeding.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone. This type of medicine stops the production of estrogen and progesterone hormone and stops menstruation. This causes your fibroids to shrink.
Your doctor may use non-invasive procedures that include:
Radiofrequency ablation. The use of radiofrequency waves causes constriction of blood vessels in fibroids and makes the growth shrink.
Uterine artery embolization. During this procedure, your doctor will inject embolic agents inside your arteries, which stop blood flow from the blood vessels to the fibroids, causing them to die.
There are surgical processes that your doctor may use. For example:
Hysterectomy. In this procedure, your surgeon will remove your entire uterus. This is a permanent solution for fibroids. After this procedure, you will not be able to have children.
Abdominal myomectomy. Your doctor will recommend this procedure to remove large fibroids from your uterus surgically.
Fibroids may interfere with your reproductive health if not treated. Schedule an appointment with your doctor at Women’s Healthcare Physicians of Naples to get rid of uterus growths and improve your overall well-being.