Abnormal growths that can develop in or on a woman’s uterus are called fibroids. The growths can cause heavy periods or severe abdominal pain, which can be very uncomfortable. Suppose you are a victim of this, worry no more as Andrew Doe MD is a specialist who uses more advanced technology to treat fibroids and any painful condition like back pain. He will guide you through the causes, symptoms, and treatment plans for fibroids.
Causes of Fibroids
Fibroids can develop because of several factors, which include family history. You might be at risk of developing fibroids if your close relative has fibroids. Sometimes you can develop fibroids from a hormonal imbalance. During your reproductive years, the progesterone and estrogen levels rise, and when the estrogen levels are high, the fibroids can swell, especially during pregnancy, the fibroids can grow faster. It would help if you had a regular checkup with your doctor, especially during pregnancy, where these will be monitored in case there are any signs of fibroid growth.
Symptoms of Fibroids
The symptoms that you will experience will depend on the size of the tumors and the locations. The symptoms may include increased menstrual cramping, pressure on the lower abdomen and frequent urination, enlargement of the abdomen, and heavy periods, leading to anemia. Fibroids may cause infertility problems, and when you are pregnant, there is a greater chance that you will undergo cesarean delivery.
Diagnosis of fibroids
When you visit your doctor, you will discuss your family history if you have family history of fibroids. The doctor will use the ultrasound scan to produce the image of your uterus, enabling them to detect any fibroids. MRI scans are used to determine the number and size of the fibroids. Sometimes you cannot realize that you have fibroids until you undergo a pelvic examination.
Treatment of Fibroids
Small fibroids that do not cause any symptoms often shrink and disappear after menopause and do not require treatment. However, you will get different treatments depending on the location of the fibroid’s severity of the symptoms. Medication is used to regulate the hormonal level, including the use of Gonadotropin-releasing a hormone (GnRH) agonist drug that will help your body produce less progesterone and estrogen. The GnRH agonist can also shrink the fibroids and prevent them from growing.
Your doctor can also use a noninvasive surgical procedure, where you lie down, and an MRI machine is used to visualize your uterus. The doctor then directs a high-energy and high-frequency sound wave to the fibroids to destroy them.
Surgery is a solution to removing large or many growths. Hysterectomy is a total or partial removal of the uterus, and this is used when you have excessive bleeding or huge fibroids. Myomectomy is removing fibroids on the muscular wall of the uterus, and it can help if you still want to have children. If the fibroids reoccur, your doctor will perform a hysterectomy, and you will not be able to bear children again.
Treatment of fibroids will depend on the fibroid’s location and size, this is why you need a diagnosis to examine the damage that the fibroids have caused. In the case of pregnancy, when you have fibroids, your doctor should monitor your condition carefully. However, consult the doctor immediately if you experience complications.
