Uterine fibroids are a significant concern for female health concerns. This condition commonly affects the reproductive years of women from their late twenties to early forties. A uterine fibroid is a non-cancerous growth in the uterus that can cause pain, heavy bleeding, and even infertility. They account for approximately 10 percent of all gynecologic surgeries. Uterine fibroids can have a significant impact on your quality of life, so you need to see an Upper East Side uterine fibroids specialist as soon as you notice any symptoms for proper diagnosis and treatment. Early intervention can make a huge difference.
What Are the Symptoms?
Symptoms of uterine fibroids vary from woman to woman, and they can be mild or severe. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Unexplained pelvic pain that may increase in severity during your period
- Pain during intercourse
- Pelvic pressure
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- Low back pain
- Frequencies of urination
- Bloating
- Constipation
Having a uterine fibroid is not the same as having cancer. Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that grow in or around the uterus. They are also called leiomyomas or myomas. These growths arise from the smooth muscle cells of the uterus to form a tumor. Uterine fibroids have no known role in reproduction and can be asymptomatic, but they may cause heavy bleeding and pain.
What Causes Uterine Fibroids?
The cause of uterine fibroids is not known. However, researchers have found that uterine fibroids are more common in women who are black or Hispanic, have never been pregnant compared to the general population. Fibroids may also run in some families, so if you have a blood relative with this condition, then your risk increases significantly. Some studies have also found that women who had more than one pregnancy at a young age are less likely to develop uterine fibroids. Pregnancy can sometimes cause other tumors to grow in the uterus.
What Treatments are Available?
Now that you know about the symptoms and causes of uterine fibroids, it may be time to consider some treatment options. Suppose you are experiencing some mild pain and discomfort but still want to become pregnant. In that case, uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive procedure that blocks off the blood supply to the tumor. This procedure aims to shrink the tumor enough so that it no longer interferes with fertility. Uterine artery embolization is also a new treatment option for uterine fibroids. This involves blocking off various arteries in the uterus using tiny particles, which reduces blood flow to the tumor and shrinks the uterine fibroids. Another surgery option is hysterectomy, which involves surgically removing the uterus. This procedure has a higher risk of complications, but it is very effective in getting rid of uterine fibroids.
There are also medicinal treatments for uterine fibroids that are non-surgical options for this condition. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce the severity of your uterine fibroid pain. Medication that contains hormones, such as birth control pills and estrogen replacement therapy, may also be prescribed to ease heavy bleeding and discomfort caused by uterine fibroids.
In summary, uterine fibroids are a considerable health concern for females across the world. Common symptoms of fibroids include pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, low back pain, and excruciating periods. The primary cause of fibroids remains unknown. Treatments range from uterine fibroid embolization and hysterectomy to over-the-counter medications and hormonal therapies.
