What Are Fibroids? Do They Need to Be Treated?

Muscle tumors that grow inside the wall of the uterus are called fibroids. While the word “tumor” is quite frightening to hear, fibroids are rarely cancerous. But they can cause some uncomfortable symptoms. Women who experience symptoms need to be treated for fibroids.

While some women do not have any symptoms of fibroids, others have significant symptoms that make life difficult. Common symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding, pain, rectal pressure and frequent urination. Pain during sex and lower back pain are also common. Extremely large fibroids can also cause women to look like they are pregnant.

Some women also experience fertility issues due to fibroids, although this is not common.

Treatment options for fibroids

Physicians evaluate the patient and determine a treatment plan. Medications and surgery are the most common treatments.

Medications

People with mild symptoms can often be treated with medications. Over-the-counter pain relievers work in some cases. But if those do not work, then the OBGYN might prescribe low-dose birth control pills. These pills control heavy bleeding.

Physicians might also prescribe a progesterone-like injection or medications, such as Lupron, to shrink the fibroids. These medications can also be given prior to fibroid removal surgery.

Surgical options

People who suffer from moderate or severe fibroids often require surgery. The physician will discuss the surgery options to find the right choice for the patient. Some of these options are:

• Laparoscopic or robotic myomectomy: Women who wish to have children in the future often opt to get a laparoscopic or robotic myomectomy. The surgeon does not take out the healthy tissue in the uterus when removing the fibroids. Women are still able to conceive children after this operation, but they might have to deliver via cesarean section
• Abdominal myomectomy: Women who have multiple, large or deep fibroids and want to keep their uterus might be candidates for abdominal myomectomy. This surgery does create scarring that can make it more difficult to conceive children. Patients should talk to their OBGYN prior to the procedure to determine their chance of conceiving children after the surgery
• Hysterectomy: Women who do not want to have children in the future can get a hysterectomy. This is the only cure for uterine fibroids since it takes out the uterus
• Endometrial ablation: Those who do not want to have children but also do not want to undergo a major procedure often elect to get an endometrial ablation. This process destroys the lining of the uterus and controls the heavy bleeding that comes with fibroids. A significant number of women do not have menstrual bleeding after the procedure, and many women report the bleeding is much lighter

Do not suffer from fibroids

If you have symptoms of fibroids, then there is no reason to suffer. There are lots of treatments available. An OGBYN can help you determine the right course of action. You might be able to take medication or get a minor surgical procedure. If those options do not work, then another surgical procedure can remove the fibroids, so you no longer have any symptoms.

Request an appointment here: https://eckhardtobgyn.com or call Donald Eckhardt Jr., M.D. , Kari Eckhardt W.H.N.P., C.N.M. at (346) 201-4716 for an appointment in our The Woodlands office.

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