What do you know about fibroids? By the mention of it, they may sound life-threatening, as it is with many body growths. However, most fibroids may not cause any problems. But it’s a different case for everyone. They grow on your uterus and are common to about 40 % of women of reproductive age. Suppose you have fibroids in McDonough, the team at Ideal Gynecology, LLC can help. Continue reading to get more understanding about fibroids.
What are fibroids?
Fibroid sizes vary from large to small and may grow on your uterine lining, uterine muscle, or on a thread-like tissue called a stock. Fibroids do not occur in every woman. They are noncancerous growths on your uterus that feel like a rubber ball.
Its effect too on your health varies. For example, a tiny fibroid on your uterine wall may lead to irregular and heavy bleeding, difficulty conceiving, and pelvic pain. Whereas a large fibroid, the size of a baseball, may not result in any symptoms. But, large fibroids may cause exert pressure on your bladder, causing the frequent urge to relieve yourself.
What causes fibroids?
There is no known cause of fibroids; however, the following factors may increase your chances of developing them.
- Hormones estrogen and progesterone enhance the growth of the uterine lining and may promote the development of fibroids.
- Genetic changes
- Growth factors such as Insulin may help fibroid growth
- Extracellular matrix, a material that allows cells to stick to each other
- A family history
- Being a black woman
- Obesity
- Having periods at an early age
Diagnosis of fibroids?
Your provider at Ideal Gynecology, LLC begins your diagnosis procedure by highlighting fibroid symptoms, which include:
- Pelvic pain
- Irregular bleeding
- Heavy periods
- Pelvic pressure
- Trouble conceiving
They perform a physical exam and an ultrasound to determine the location and number of the fibroids. From this step, your provider goes ahead to design your treatment options.
What are the treatments for fibroids?
Fibroid treatment options vary, depending on your specific concerns. For instance, your treatment will depend on whether you want to have children or not and your age.
Your provider ensures your treatment plan provides you with the best outcomes.
Where fibroids are not causing any problems, it may be wise to leave them, and you may not require any treatment. But, when large fibroids block the uterus or have cancer traits, treatments are necessary.
In some cases of fibroids, medications can help relieve your symptoms and improve your life quality.
Where you have an option of removing fibroids, your provider at Ideal Gynecology gets rid of them without making incisions. They use hysteroscopic myomectomy, which involves using a MyoSure device that accesses your fibroids through the cervix.
What is the difference between polyps and fibroids?
Both are growths that develop on your reproductive organs. While fibroids grow in the uterus, polyps develop on the endometrial glands. Both have the same symptoms, but heavy bleeding during menstruation stands out for polyps.
Fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in the uterus. In some women, fibroids have no symptoms, while in others, it causes heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, irregular bleeding, and infertility. The symptoms may interfere with your daily life; hence treatments are necessary. Consult with the fibroid specialists at Ideal Gynecology LLC today for more information.