Uterine Fibroid Care

Uterine Fibroid Care at Wellstar

What are fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are common, non-cancerous growths in the uterus that occur in 30 to 60% of women by age 50. Most are small and cause no symptoms. However, in some women, fibroids can cause problems because of their size, location and number. Fibroids can also be hereditary with mothers, daughters and sisters suffering from them.

Diagnosis

Fibroids are most often found during a routine pelvic exam. Ultrasounds, hysteroscopy 
(direct visualization inside of uterus through the vagina) and MRI are methods your provider may choose to determine the size, location and number of fibroids you have.

Symptoms

Many women do not experience symptoms from fibroids and do not require treatment.

Some symptoms of problematic fibroids include:

• Heavy, prolonged periods, which may have clots Fatigue (due to anemia, or low red blood cell count)
• Pain or pressure in back, between hip bones or back of legs
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Constipation, bloating and/or enlarged belly

Treatment Options

Fibroids that cause no symptoms do not require treatment and are monitored yearly. Keeping a healthy weight combined with exercise and nutritious eating may lower your risk of fibroids.

Minimally Invasive Treatment

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a non-surgical procedure to block the blood flow to fibroids, causing them to soften and shrink by 30 to 50%. No general anesthesia is needed, and you will not have to stay at the hospital overnight. Recovery is generally one week, and most patients experience few complications from the procedure. UFE preserves the uterus and is performed by an interventional radiologist.

Medical Treatment

Medical treatment of symptomatic fibroids may include birth control pills, an intrauterine device (IUD), hormonal shots or the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium.

Surgical Treatment

Surgical treatments include hysterectomy, myomectomy and endometrial ablation.

Hysterectomy is the complete removal of the uterus. There are a variety of surgical options: laparascopically, using a robot, vaginally or with a low abdominal incision. Depending on how the hysterectomy is done, recovery is 2 to 6 weeks and general anesthesia is used. There is a complete loss of fertility.

Myomectomy is another surgical treatment using an abdominal incision, laparascopic, robotic, or hysteroscopic (through the vagina) method. Depending on the size, location and number of fibroids, myomectomy may not be recommended. Fibroids may recur, requiring additional treatment. Recovery time can range from 2 days to 6 weeks, and general anesthesia is required.

Endometrial ablation is the removal of the lining of the uterus to reduce bleeding. It may not be an option, depending on the size and location of the fibroids. It will not reduce the symptoms of fibroid bulk and abnormal bleeding may recur, requiring additional procedures. Recovery is 2 to 4 days, and it may be performed in the doctor’s office.