Uterine Fibroids Treatment in Homewood, IL
When it comes to women's health, especially a woman's reproductive well-being, there are many different things to consider. Various other conditions may develop, so getting a routine pelvic exam from an experienced gynecologist is vital to maintaining good health.
One of the many issues that may be discovered during that pelvic exam (or subsequent diagnostic tests) is the development of uterine fibroids. They are very common and can grow at any time in the uterus.
If you are interested in learning about uterine fibroids and their effects, the women's health experts at DARDUR Gynecology are here to provide you with information and exceptional medical care. We offer gynecology care, in-office procedures, as well as surgery in Homewood, IL.
What Are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are growths or tumors in the body of the uterus that are noncancerous. They develop when a muscle cell clones itself in the uterus and then expands on its own. Thee official medical name for a fibroid leiomyoma. Fibroids can range in size; from the size of a grape to the size a whole grapefruit. If they become large enough, uterine fibroids can expand the uterus entirely, reaching the rib cage and becoming very heavy.
Many women develop fibroids and are completely unaware of them because they have no symptoms or experience pelvic pain. The fibroids are often found through a pelvic ultrasound or during a pelvic exam.
The classification of uterine fibroids is based on their location within the uterus. There are intramural fibroids (within the muscular wall of the uterus,) submucosal fibroids (in the uterine cavity), or subserosal fibroids (on the outside the uterus.)
Causes of Uterine Fibroids
The exact cause of fibroids has not yet been identified. There is a lot of research going into what causes it. There are signs that it might be hereditary and there is evidence to show that it responds to endogenous estrogen (natural estrogen made from the body.)
Simply being a woman and having a uterus puts you at risk of developing fibroids, so it is important to ensure your provider performs a pelvic exam to check the size of your uterus at least once a year. Any heavy bleeding, or pain in the pelvic area should be reported to your doctor so that you can be assessed for fibroids.
Who Is at Risk for Developing Fibroids in the Uterine Cavity?
Women, in general, are at risk of developing a fibroid in the uterus. Fibroids grow without much (if any) warning. It is usually noticed by women when there is a change in their periods.
Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids
As previously stated, some women who develop fibroids do not even know they have them because there are no symptoms. However, symptomatic uterine fibroids may have the following signs that can affect the overall well-being of a woman:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Menstrual periods which last more than a week
- Pelvic pain or pressure
- Constipation
- Frequent urination
- Difficulty completely emptying the bladder
- Backache
- Leg pain
You may also feel pain if the fibroid loses its blood supply and dies. This can happen if it grows too big and the blood vessels supplying it can't keep up. This is called a degenerating fibroid and it can cause severe pain. The presence of symptoms is also often influenced by the fibroid's location, size, and number.
If these symptoms have manifested or you notice odd changes in your period, it may be time to contact a women's health doctor like ours at DARDUR Gynecology.
How Are Uterine Fibroids Diagnosed?
Because they are often discovered during a routine gynecological exam, that is the most common way fibroids will be diagnosed. If your doctor feels an irregularity in the shape of your uterus, they may recommend diagnostic tests such as:
- MRI
- Ultrasound
- Lab tests to check your blood count if your periods are heavy
- Water sonogram - to see if they are located inside the uterine cavity
- Hysteroscopy
At DARDUR Gynecology, our Gynecologist will explain each of these tests in detail to you to ensure that you know which option is best for you. Based on the results of any of these tests, we can then develop a customized treatment plan for you.
How to Treat Fibroids?
There are various ways to treat uterine fibroids, depending on the severity of the case. Fibroids usually cause heavy periods, painful periods or pain outside of the period. Because they are noncancerous, surgical removal may not always be the first step. The treatment is determined by which symptom the fibroid is causing for you. Fibroids have been known to interfere with pregnancy or make a pregnancy become high risk depending on their location and size. A post-menopause lack of hormones can shrink fibroids.
If your fibroids cause heavy bleeding during your period, the options for you include be medical to help reduce your flow or surgical to scrape the lining and reduce your flow. For medical treatment, these medications include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like Ibuprofen, Naproxen)
- Tranexamic acid (Works with your platelets to reduce flow during your period)
- Birth control pills
- Progestin-releasing intrauterine device (IUD)
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists/antagonists.
If medications do not help you, the expert gynecologist at DARDUR Gynecology may recommend surgical options.
Non-invasive Procedures and Treatment Options
One of the best treatment options that are non-invasive is MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery. It is performed while you are in the MRI machine, requires no incision, and preserves the integrity of your uterus.
Minimally Invasive Procedures
Other minimally invasive procedures to have uterine fibroids treated include:
- Uterine fibroid embolization (block off the blood supply to the fibroid to stop its growth)
- Radiofrequency ablation (This uses ultrasound energy to destroy the fibroid so it shrinks)
- Laparoscopic or robotic myomectomy (This is a surgery to remove each individual fibroid)
- Hysteroscopic myomectomy (This is done if the fibroid is within the uterine cavity, a device is uses to shave the fibroid away)
Again, Our Gynecologist will walk you through each procedure and provide information on benefits, risks and alternatives. It is important to note that there is a possibility that the fibroid growth may return or new fibroids can grow since these procedures do not remove the uterus.
Surgical Procedures
Finally, the typical last resort for treating fibroids is traditional surgery. You may undergo an abdominal myomectomy (open surgery to remove the fibroid) or hysterectomy (open or minimally invasive surgery to remove your uterus), depending on your particular situation.
Contact DARDUR Gynecology for Uterine Fibroids Treatments in Homewood, IL
If you have been experiencing any of the symptoms listed above and want to find out if you may have developed fibroids in your uterus, contact DARDUR Gynecology. Call now to schedule an appointment! Our Gynecologist has the experience and training to provide you with a proper examination and develop a customized treatment plan.
