Fibroid Treatment

Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop from the muscle tissue of the uterus. They also are called leiomyomas or myomas. The size, shape, and location of fibroids can vary greatly. They may be present inside the uterus, on its outer surface or within its wall, or attached to it by a stem-like structure. A woman may have only one fibroid or many of varying sizes. A fibroid may remain very small for a long time and suddenly grow rapidly, or grow slowly over a number of years.

Fibroids are most common in women aged 30–40 years, but they can occur at any age. Fibroids occur more often in African-American women than in white women. They also seem to occur at a younger age and grow more quickly in African-American women.

Fibroids may have the following symptoms:

• Changes in your period (longer, more frequent, or heavy periods; menstrual pain (cramps), vaginal bleeding at times other than your period, low blood count (from blood loss)
• Pain (in the abdomen and lower back which is often dull, heavy and aching, but my be sharp; during sex)
• Pressure
• Difficulty urinating or frequent urination
• Constipation, rectal pain, or difficult bowel movements
• Abdominal cramps
• Enlarged uterus and abdomen
• Miscarriages
• Infertility

Fibroids also may cause no symptoms at all.

Fibroids that are attached to the uterus by a stem may twist and can cause pain, nausea, or fever. Fibroids that grow rapidly, or those that start breaking down, also may cause pain. Rarely, they can be associated with cancer. A very large fibroid may cause swelling of the abdomen. This swelling can make it hard to do a thorough pelvic exam.

Fibroids also may cause infertility, although other causes are more common. Other factors should be explored before fibroids are considered the cause of a couple’s infertility. When fibroids are thought to be a cause, many women are able to become pregnant after they are treated.

A number of tests may show more information about fibroids. These include ultrasound and laparoscopy.

Fibroids that do not cause symptoms, are small, or occur in a woman who is nearing menopause often do not require treatment. Certain signs and symptoms may signal the need for treatment:

• Heavy or painful menstrual periods that cause anemia or that disrupt a woman’s normal activities
• Bleeding between periods
• Uncertainty whether the growth is a fibroid or another type of tumor, such as an ovarian tumor
• Rapid increase in growth of the fibroid
• Infertility
• Pelvic pain

Drug therapy is an option for some women with fibroids. Medications may reduce the heavy bleeding and painful periods that fibroids sometimes cause. They may not prevent the growth of fibroids. Surgery often is needed later. Myomectomy is the surgical removal of fibroids while leaving the uterus in place. Because a woman keeps her uterus, she may still be able to have children. Fibroids do not regrow after surgery, but new fibroids may develop. If they do, more surgery may be needed.

Hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus. The ovaries may or may not be removed. Hysterectomy is done when other treatments have not worked or are not possible or the fibroids are very large. A woman is no longer able to have children after having a hysterectomy.

At Virginia Center for Women, our physicians specialize in the treatment of fibroids. For more information on treatment options or to request an appointment, please contact our office.