What are fibroids?
Fibroids are benign growths in your uterus that can often appear during your childbearing years. They’re firm, compact tumors that are made out of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue that develop in your uterus. These uterine masses often cause pain & heavy menstrual bleeding.
Fibroids are often the underlying cause of infertility in women. Since their incidence rate increases with age, so does the likelihood of a woman’s infertility being from fibroids.
Fibroids can contribute to miscarriage, premature labor, and birth. When considering in-vitro fertilization, it’s usually recommended to surgically clear your uterus of all fibroids before undertaking IVF.
The location of fibroids determines what type they are. Intramural fibroids grow in the uterine wall, submucosal fibroids grow under the uterine lining and project into the endometrial cavity, and subserosal are located on the outside of the uterus.
What are common symptoms of fibroids?
Symptoms of fibroids can range from nonexistent to severe and disruptive among women. Each woman experiences the symptoms differently, but the most common symptoms of uterine fibroids include:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Periods lasting longer than a week
- Pelvic pressure or pain
- Frequent urination
- Difficulty urinating
- Lower back pain
- Leg aches
- Pain during intercourse
- A firm mass often located near the middle of your pelvis
- Constipation
- Difficulty becoming pregnant
Symptoms also vary depending on where the fibroids are located.
How can your fibroids be treated?
- Acessa™ is an outpatient procedure Dr. Diesfeld performs laparoscopically. It can treat fibroids of any size and in any location while preserving your uterus for future pregnancies.
After making two small incisions in your abdomen, Dr. Diesfeld applies radiofrequency directly to your fibroid. Your surrounding tissues then reabsorb the destroyed fibroid, and the use of a special intra-op ultrasound probe directly on the uterus allows detection and destruction of even very small fibroids.
You’re able to go home the same day after this minimally invasive procedure.
- Myomectomy is the targeted removal of just the tumors depending on size & location, this may be feasible through the cervix (hysteroscopically) or laparoscopically, or through an abdominal incision.
- Hysterectomy involves removal of the uterus itsellf, with the fibroids within.
If you are suffering from fibroid symptoms, call Women’s Health Partnership Medical Group or schedule an appointment online to come in and discuss your options.
