3 Facts You Might Not Know About Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are a common condition that affects the reproductive health of many women each year. Dr. Derakhsh Fozouni offers both comprehensive diagnostics and treatment services that can address fibroids, and their related symptoms, to protect your health.

Understanding fibroids

Fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop on your uterine wall most commonly during your reproductive years. You can develop a single fibroid or multiple growths, which can either grow quickly or slowly over time.

Fibroids vary in size, from microscopic to a large grapefruit shape. Though not all fibroids need treatment, large fibroids can protrude from your uterine cavity and even cause a noticeable distortion of your pelvic area.

Many women have fibroids and never know it because the growth causes no symptoms. Your risk for fibroid development increases if you have a history of the condition in your family.

In many causes, fibroids shrink on their own without any medical intervention. Many women with fibroids will find that, after menopause, fibroids vanish completely.

Though uterine fibroids are quite common among women, there are some facts about fibroids you may not yet realize, such as:

Heavy bleeding is a hallmark.

You may not realize you even have fibroids unless they begin to affect your health. Heavy bleeding is a hallmark symptom of uterine fibroids. Many women experience a substantial amount of bleeding during their periods, with some passing large clots of blood.

If you have fibroids, you may also have bleeding and cramping in between your periods that can indicate your fibroids need an evaluation and treatment.

Fibroids don’t mean infertility.

Large fibroids can affect the size and health of your uterus, which can be a concern if you’re trying to get pregnant. In some cases, larger-sized fibroids may increase your risk for needing a Cesarean section (C-section), and you may also face some issues with heavy bleeding during childbirth.

However, many women with fibroids have successfully conceived and delivered a healthy, happy baby without complications. Dr. Fozouni works closely with you to ensure fibroids don’t interfere with your fertility or a healthy pregnancy.

Fibroids are the leading cause of hysterectomies.

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove your uterus and possibly your other reproductive organs, such as your ovaries and Fallopian tubes. There are a number of reasons why you may need a hysterectomy, but for women in the U.S., having fibroids is the leading factor.

Luckily, medical advancements continue to improve, and Dr. Fozouni offers several nonsurgical treatments to address fibroids, keeping a traditional hysterectomy as a last resort.

Fibroids can now be treated with medications or removed using minimally invasive surgical techniques. Dr. Fozouni can design a custom treatment plan for you, based on the size and location of your fibroids, your medical history, and your current health.

The goal of treatment is to alleviate heavy periods and pain. If you’re still planning your family, treatment can also focus on preserving your fertility and eliminating the need for a hysterectomy.

If you have persistent pelvic pain and heavy menstrual bleeding, schedule an fibroid assessment today using the online booking feature or by calling the office.