About Uterine Fibroids, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomas, are abnormal growths located inside or outside the uterus as well as within the uterus wall. Made of smooth muscle cells, the tumors are not cancerous. However, they might cause mild to severe symptoms. The most common signs of uterine fibroids are heavy menstrual bleedings, prolonged periods, intermenstrual bleedings, bleedings after intercourse, pain and pressure in the abdomen, enlarged abdomen, frequent urination, and constipation. Besides, fibroids (myomas) can potentially impair fertility and pregnancy.
Uterine fibroids are an extremely common condition in women of reproductive age. It has been estimated that 70% to 80% of women develop these tumors during their lifetime. But they don’t necessarily require treatment. Fortunately, half of the women with fibroids are asymptomatic. Symptomatic fibroids can be addressed with either medical management, surgical treatment or interventional radiology techniques (nonsurgical), such as UFE (uterine fibroid embolization).
While medications manage fibroid symptoms temporarily, surgery and UFE cure the fibroids. However, alternatively to fibroid surgeries, the embolization procedure eliminates the risks associated with surgery as well as shortens the recovery time. UFE is fully outpatient and does not require staying in a hospital overnight. It allows women to have pregnancies and full term births after the procedure.
If you want to learn more about uterine fibroids, fibroid symptoms, and uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), read in-depth articles from our blog below.
Thyroid Awareness Month: Are Thyroid and Fibroids Connected?
January 27, 2021In the month of January dedicated to thyroid awareness, we have a good reason to … Read moreThyroid Awareness Month: Are Thyroid and Fibroids Connected?
Diet for Fibroids: How to Uninvite Your Fibroids to Holiday Dinner
December 14, 2020Uterine fibroids are the most common pelvic tumor seen in women. Up to 70% of … Read moreDiet for Fibroids: How to Uninvite Your Fibroids to Holiday Dinner
Polyps or Fibroids in the Uterus: Do They Impair Fertility?
December 7, 2020Uterine fibroids and uterine polyps are both very prevalent abnormal benign growths in the uterus. … Read morePolyps or Fibroids in the Uterus: Do They Impair Fertility?
Living with Fibroids: Sharing the Journey with Our Patients
November 24, 2020Often, women diagnosed with uterine fibroids are not happy with the treatment options offered to … Read moreLiving with Fibroids: Sharing the Journey with Our Patients
Protect Your ‘U-Terus ’: 5 Facts About Birth Control and Fibroids
November 17, 2020On the heels of new legislation surrounding women’s health, there has been a surge in … Read moreProtect Your ‘U-Terus ’: 5 Facts About Birth Control and Fibroids
IUDs for Fibroids: Do They Help?
November 11, 2020When we talk to our patients at Atlanta Fibroid Center about fibroid treatment options, we … Read moreIUDs for Fibroids: Do They Help?
Fertility and Infertility with Fibroids: What Are the Causes, Concerns and Things to Consider?
November 3, 2020Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that grow within, on, or adjoined to the uterus. Given … Read moreFertility and Infertility with Fibroids: What Are the Causes, Concerns and Things to Consider?
6 Simple Do’s and Don’ts for Women with Uterine Fibroids
October 27, 2020Up to half of the American women with fibroids are symptomatic based on relevant studies. … Read more6 Simple Do’s and Don’ts for Women with Uterine Fibroids
UFE vs. Acessa™: What Should I Opt For?
October 21, 2020A landmark study from the Journal of Women’s Health in 2013 (1) corroborated what many … Read moreUFE vs. Acessa™: What Should I Opt For?
Uterine Fibroids and Weight Gain: What is Tipping the Scale?
October 2, 2020Grappling with the fibroid diagnosis is taxing on a woman’s body as well as her … Read moreUterine Fibroids and Weight Gain: What is Tipping the Scale?