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.