Gynecology & Laparoscopic Surgeons, PC ‘s female gynecologists in Raleigh NC understand what to do about uterine fibroids. First, consider that uterine fibroids are the most common, noncancerous pelvic tumors in women. Fibroids, or leiomyomas, are derived from smooth muscle cells that grow abnormally within the uterus. The cause of fibroids is unknown.
Many times fibroids will cause no symptoms. In fact, they can go undetected for some time in women due to lack of symptoms. If women do have symptoms, they can experience one or all of the following:
- Heavy or prolonged periods
- Urinary frequency
- Pressure or pain symptoms
- Constipation
- Infertility
Fibroids appear to respond to hormones and will grow during a woman’s reproductive life. Many fibroid related symptoms will end after a woman enters menopause.
Treatment for fibroids depends on several factors and the right treatment can vary from person to person. The main goal of treating fibroids is to alleviate a woman’s symptoms.
Factors influencing treatment options include symptoms, desire to have children, and age. The number, size and location of the fibroids can also affect which treatment is recommended for you.
Treatment options range from no intervention, medication (both hormonal or nonhormonal), surgery to remove the fibroids (myomectomy) or the uterus (hysterectomy), myolysis (destruction of the fibroid), radiofrequency ablation (Acessa), and uterine artery embolization. Many of the outpatient procedures the female gynecologists at Gynecology & Laparoscopic Surgeons perform to treat fibroids are minimally-invasive so that your down-time and post procedure pain are minimized.
Your physician should discuss your symptoms with you as well as the pros and cons of each option. The best option will be a combination of your desires as a patient and what is appropriate for you based on your clinical situation. All women are different and not every option is right for everyone.