What are fibroids?

Fibroids are benign (noncancerous) tumors that develop in the muscular tissue of your uterus. These tumors vary in size, shape, and location. Fibroids can range in size from a barely visible dot to a bulky mass that can stretch your uterus and make you appear pregnant.

You can have one fibroid or many at the same time. Fibroids can grow on the inner or outer surface of your uterus, embedded within the uterine wall, or attached to the uterus by a stalk.

Who gets fibroids?

Fibroids can occur at any age, but they’re most common in women in their 30s and 40s. These tumors tend to shrink when women reach menopause.

How do I know if I have fibroids?

Many women develop fibroids without ever knowing it because they don’t experience any symptoms. If you do have fibroid symptoms, they may include:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Periods that last longer than one week
• Bleeding in between periods
• Pelvic pain or pressure
• Frequent urination
• Constipation
• Lower back pain
• Painful sex

The only way to be certain that you have fibroids is to schedule an appointment at Greensboro OB-GYN Associates.

Your gynecologist may detect uterine fibroids during a pelvic exam or suspect an issue after hearing your concerns. To confirm a diagnosis, they may suggest testing, including ultrasound imaging or an exploratory laparoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure used to identify abnormality or disease.

How do you treat fibroids?

Fibroids that remain small and don’t cause symptoms often don’t require treatment. In these cases, the team at Greensboro OB-GYN Associates may recommend watchful waiting to see if the fibroids grow or begin to cause problems.

If your fibroids cause symptoms or become large, your provider recommends the best treatment for your particular condition. Treatment for mild fibroid symptoms may involve taking medications that control heavy menstrual bleeding, such as birth control or blood-clotting drugs.

Hormone-altering methods like oral contraceptives and intrauterine devices can help manage the symptoms of fibroids, but they won’t make the tumors go away. And this type of treatment isn’t an ideal option if you want to get pregnant.

Fibroids that cause moderate to severe symptoms may require surgery. The expert gynecologists at Greensboro OB-GYN Associates use the myomectomy procedure, a minimally invasive way to remove the fibroids while leaving the uterus intact.

To learn more about your options for fibroid treatment, call Greensboro OB-GYN Associates or book an appointment online today.