Uterine Fibroid Treatment in Laurel, MD

Studies suggest that a woman's risk of developing uterine fibroids stems from several factors.

• Age. Uterine fibroids are more commonly diagnosed in older women still in their reproductive years.
• Family history of uterine fibroids
• Vitamin D deficiency
• No history of pregnancy
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Ethnicity, statistics indicate that uterine fibroids are more common in African American women
• High consumption of soy-based foods or soy isoflavones in infancy or adulthood

There is a greater chance of complications during pregnancy and delivery if a woman has uterine fibroids. That said, not all women with fibroids do experience complications. In the majority of cases, pregnancy and delivery occur without incident. The risks that are associated with uterine fibroids during pregnancy include breech position, risk of needing a c-section due to the baby's position, and placental abruption, in which the placenta dislodges from the uterus before delivery. There is also a chance that labor will not progress well due to uterine fibroids. Women who have fibroids can become pregnant and carry full-term with zero complications. To manage risks, women should work closely with an obstetrician with experience supporting high-risk pregnancies.

Some scientific data suggest that varicose veins may be a secondary effect of large uterine fibroids. The instigating factor is believed to be pressure on the nerves and blood vessels that travel through the pelvis to the legs. While there may be a correlation between the two conditions, varicose veins alone are not a reliable indication that a woman has uterine fibroids.

Fewer than one in 1,000 cases of uterine fibroids result in a cancer diagnosis. Doctors take great care to thoroughly assess all symptoms that may relate to uterine fibroids and identity if any stand out as unusual. Some studies suggest that a cancerous fibroid may be more apt to grow quickly and cause stomach pain. A cancerous fibroid may also cause post-menopausal bleeding. Other than these, all other symptoms remain the same.

There is no way to prevent fibroids seeing that there may be genetic components involved. However, clinical research has found that some women who consume high amounts of sugar may be more prone to uterine fibroids. In another study, researchers concluded that the risk of developing uterine fibroids may be lowered by consuming larger amounts of cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, arugula, and collard greens.

Uterine fibroids are growths or benign masses that can form on the inside or outside of the uterus. In many cases, women do not experience any symptoms from uterine fibroids. If symptoms are present, the most common symptoms may include:

• Heavy bleeding
• Feeling of fullness
• Pelvic pressure
• Lower back pain
• Frequent urination

If uterine fibroids grow very large they may put pressure on the large bowel, causing painful bowel movements, constipation or hemorrhoids. In some cases, sexual intercourse may also be painful because of large uterine fibroids.

In rare cases, uterine fibroids may cause cause infertility or pregnancy complications. Uterine fibroids may prevent implantation and growth of an embryo. If the fibroids cause infertility or miscarriage, a doctor may recommend removing the fibroids before attempting another pregnancy. Fibroids present during pregnancy may increase the risk of premature delivery and cesarean section.

Uterine fibroids are commonly discovered during a pelvic exam. If fibroids are suspected, the doctor may confirm the diagnosis with blood tests and additional imaging tests that may include:

• Ultrasound
• Hysterosonography
• MRI scan
• Hysterosalpingography

In cases where women do not experience any problems or symptoms with uterine fibroids, no treatment may be necessary as doctors may choose to just monitor the condition. Uterine fibroids usually grow slowly and tend to shrink after menopause, when reproductive hormones levels drop. When uterine fibroids cause uncomfortable symptoms, hormonal medications may be prescribed to shrink the fibroids. A common method used to treat uterine fibroids is a procedure called fibroid embolization. Fibroid embolization, is a minimally invasive procedure that blocks blood flow to uterine fibroids, shrinking or destroying the tumors that grow on the uterine walls. There are several other minimally invasive procedures available to treat uterine fibroids without the use of surgery. These procedures may include:

• Laparoscopic myomectomy
• Myolysis
• Endometrial ablation and resection of fibroids

In cases where the uterine fibroids have grown very large, more traditional surgical methods such as an abdominal myomectomy or hysterectomy may be performed. A hysterectomy is an option only for women who longer want to have children, as the entire uterus is removed. Except for a hysterectomy, and while rare, there is a possibility that new fibroids may develop after all treatments have been performed.