Fibroids

What are fibroids?

Fibroids are growths in or on your uterus and are usually benign (noncancerous). Uterine fibroids vary in size from tiny seedlings to masses so large they distort the shape of your uterus.

You could have many small fibroids, one large one, or a mix of various sizes. They often grow slowly but may sometimes expand rapidly. Fibroids can form within the uterine walls or inside your uterus, either attached directly to the uterus or pedunculated (hanging from a stem). Fibroids sometimes develop outside your uterus.

What symptoms do fibroids cause?

Many women with fibroids have no idea because they don't experience any symptoms. The first you might know of it is when your provider at Providence Women's Healthcare discovers your fibroids during a routine exam. If fibroids do cause symptoms, these can include:

• Heavy periods
• Longer or more frequent menstruation
• Painful periods
• Bleeding between periods
• Anemia from blood loss
• Lower back and abdominal pain
• Urination problems
• Rectal pain and constipation
• Swollen abdomen

Fibroids can sometimes make it harder to conceive as well. If you're trying for a baby with no luck, your gynecologist at Providence Women's Healthcare can find out if you have fibroids.

There are several tests available that determine whether you have fibroids, including hysteroscopy (examining your uterus using a slender, lighted tube) and ultrasound. Providence Women's Healthcare offers state-of-the-art ultrasound at all its locations.

What treatments can help with fibroids?

If your fibroids aren't causing any problems, your gynecologist might recommend monitoring them and only treating them if they begin triggering symptoms.

Fibroids that are making menstruation painful could improve with hormonal birth control, which reduces pain and bleeding during your period. Birth control pills, patches, implants, vaginal rings, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and injections are available at Providence Women's Healthcare. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists could also help.

Minimally invasive procedures that can destroy fibroids include MRI-guided ultrasound, laser hysteroscopy, and uterine artery embolization (injections to cut off the fibroids' blood supply). 

Providence Women's Healthcare also uses the da Vinci® system to perform robotic myomectomy (surgical fibroid removal) or hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). Endometrial ablation can address heavy bleeding due to fibroids.

For fast diagnosis and effective treatment of fibroids, call Providence Women's Healthcare today or book an appointment online.