Uterine fibroids are more common than you might think. These noncancerous growths affect about 40% of women by age 35 and 70-80% of women by the age of 50. While not everyone experiences symptoms, fibroids can cause heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, and fertility issues.
Although fibroids are very common, many misconceptions remain about who develops them, what they are, and the available treatment options.
At Fresno Fibroid Center, our team believes knowledge is the first step to taking control of your health.
Here are answers to five of the most common questions women have about uterine fibroids, courtesy of Drs. Pruett, Tower, Balfour, and Ng, specialists in uterine fibroid embolization.
Uterine fibroids, also called leiomyomas, are growths that develop in or on the muscular wall of the uterus. They can vary in size, from as small as a seed to as large as a melon.
Fibroids are further categorized by their location of growth. Your Fresno Fibroid Center provider may describe your fibroid as:
Fibroids aren’t cancerous, but depending on their size and location, they can cause disruptive symptoms.
Some women don’t have any symptoms, but others experience:
If you’re dealing with heavy bleeding or chronic pain, it’s important to get checked. Other gynecologic conditions, like adenomyosis, can also cause heavy bleeding. These conditions, though, require different treatments.
Our team can identify the source of your symptoms and then create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your condition and the severity of your symptoms.
The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but hormones like estrogen and progesterone can influence fibroid growth. That’s why many women see their fibroids shrink once they get into menopause.
Genetics and family history also increase your risk. In fact, 80% of African-American women experience fibroids by age 50, while 70% of Caucasian women do.
Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and having a vitamin D deficiency can also increase your risk of developing a uterine fibroid.
Fibroids may be suspected during a pelvic exam, but imaging tests give a clearer picture. Ultrasound, MRI, or other diagnostic tools help determine the size, number, and location of fibroids.
Not all fibroids need treatment. If yours are small and not causing symptoms, monitoring may be enough. This approach is called watchful waiting.
If treatment is necessary, options include:
At Fresno Fibroid Center, we specialize in advanced, minimally invasive treatments like UFE that preserve your uterus whenever possible and help you get back to living life without painful symptoms.
Fibroids don’t have to control your life. If you have symptoms or concerns about uterine fibroids, our team at Fresno Fibroid Center can help you find the right solution.
Call us at (559) 216-0746 or click here to schedule a consultation with our team.
