Fibroids Specialist

What are uterine fibroids?

Fibroids are benign tumors growing inside the uterus. They're common in women between the ages of 35 and 45 and are a common reason for a woman to have a hysterectomy. The tissue that makes up fibroids is fibrous tissue similar to the uterine tissue. The hormones estrogen and progesterone stimulate their growth, but the actual cause is unknown.

What are the symptoms of uterine fibroids?

Fibroids can often exist with no symptoms. Women who do have symptoms may experience:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Severe menstrual cramping
• Pelvic pain
• Pelvic bleeding between periods
• Leg pains
• Bloating
• Backaches
• Infertility
• Miscarriage
• Pain during intercourse

If the fibroids become large, they can press on other organs, including the digestive and urinary system organs, causing constipation or urinary discomfort.

Do fibroids prevent pregnancy?

Women with small to medium sized fibroids shouldn't have trouble getting pregnant. As pregnancy progresses, fibroids can grow, and this causes pain and discomfort. It can also increase the risk of c-section, placental abruption, and preterm delivery. Dr. Bharksuwan will discuss possible fibroid complications during pregnancy with his patient’s who have fibroids and want to get pregnant.  

Will fibroids turn into cancer?

The vast majority of fibroids are benign, with less than 1 out of 1,000 being cancerous. Those fibroids that are cancerous don't arise from existing fibroids. This means fibroids don't increase a woman's risk of getting uterine cancer.

How are fibroids diagnosed?

Many women find out they have fibroids during their annual pelvic exam, when Dr. Bharksuwan feels them while examining the reproductive organs. Sometimes women who come to Pinecroft OBGYN suffering from heavy periods or intense menstrual cramping will have an ultrasound or other imaging test that reveals the fibroid.

How are fibroids treated?

Women without uncomfortable symptoms don't need to treat their fibroids. For fast-growing fibroids or fibroids causing discomfort, medication to reduce estrogen levels may help. Uterine artery embolization is a nonsurgical procedure to block the blood vessels flowing to the fibroids to cause them to shrink. For women who aren't planning to have children, or who have severe symptoms, hysterectomy provides a solution. Women who need their fibroids removed but still wish to preserve fertility can have an open surgery to remove the fibroids, known as myomectomy. For more information about fibroid treatment options, schedule an appointment with Pinecroft OBGYN.