The menstrual period is typically accompanied by pain, discomfort in the abdomen area, back pain, and frequent urination. These all are normal, but the increased frequency may indicate the presence of an underlying condition. An example of such a condition is fibroids Garden City. This condition is quite common and is discussed in further detail below.
Table of Contents
What are Fibroids?
Fibroids are not cancerous growths consisting of the connective and muscle tissue from the uterine wall. Fibroids may grow individually or as a group getting as big as a watermelon. They can be formed on the outer surface of the uterus or inside the central cavity of the organ. They can be found in different locations on and within your uterus.
Symptoms of fibroids may vary from one person to another, although they may not even be experienced symptomatically.
Various factors that increase the risk of occurrence of fibroids include:
- Family history of fibroids
- Higher body weight or obesity
- Early-onset of menstruation
- Not having children
- Late age for menopause
The causes of fibroids are generally not precisely understood.
Signs and Symptoms
Smaller fibroids typically do not exhibit symptoms. Larger fibroids show signs like:
- Bleeding between your periods
- Painful or excessive bleeding during your period
- Frequent urination
- Bloating feeling
- Low back pain
- Pain during sex
- Chronic vaginal discharge
- Constipation
- Increased abdominal enlargement giving the appearance of pregnancy
- Inability to empty your bladder
Fibroids may grow or shrink in size over time. The various changes in size depend on several reasons, with the main one changing in the number of hormones in the body. Situations like pregnancy characterized by high levels of hormones may result in a growth in the size of fibroids. Therefore, any signs of fibroids during pregnancy should be monitored closely by your physician.
Diagnosis and Treatment
A regular exam by a women’s health provider might identify the presence of fibroids. Other symptoms like heavy flow or other related symptoms may alert your physician to conduct a diagnosis. Other tests that can be done to confirm the condition while determining their location and size include:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging is done to create a detailed image of the internal organs.
- Ultrasonography to create a picture of the internal organs
- Hysteroscopy
- Computed tomography
- Sonohysterography
- Hysterosalpingography
- Laparoscopy
Treatment will depend on the number, size, and location of the fibroids and the exhibited symptoms. Smaller fibroids without symptoms can be left alone. Those that require treatment or management may involve medications like:
- Iron supplements
- Pain medications
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
- Birth control
- Oral therapies
Surgery may be required depending on the size of the fibroid and its procedural complications, and how they may affect future pregnancies. Some techniques include:
- Myomectomy
- Uterine fibroid embolization
- Hysterectomy
- Radiofrequency ablation
Any treatment plans for fibroids have its risks. However, treatment should only be considered if the symptoms disrupt daily life. If you think you may have fibroids, check us out online or call our Garden City offices.
