Uterine Fibroids: What You Need to Know
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that occur in the muscle cells of the uterus. These fibroids don’t spread to other areas of the body, typically aren’t dangerous, and often appear during childbearing years. Uterine fibroids can range in size from so small they’re undetectable by the human eye to bulky masses that can enlarge the uterus.
Fibroids are common, with more than 200,000 new cases in the US each year. According to the Society of Interventional Radiology, “From 20 to 40 percent of women age 35 and older have uterine fibroids of a significant size. African American women are at higher risk for fibroids; as many as 50 percent have fibroids of a significant size.”
While no definitive cause for uterine fibroids has been found, the following factors seem to put patients more at risk for developing them:
- Overweight
- African American
- Family history of fibroids
- High blood pressure
- Have had no children
- Beginning menstruation at an early age
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Alcohol consumption
Symptoms
Symptoms experienced can be affected by the location, size, and amount of fibroids. It’s also important to note that uterine fibroids often cause no symptoms. For those that do show symptoms, the following are common:
- Pelvic pressure or pain
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Menstrual periods that last more than a week
- Severe cramps
- Pain during or following intercourse
- Abdominal enlargement
- Pain down the back of one or both legs
- Difficulty completely emptying bladder
- Frequent urination
- Constipation
Diagnosis
Following an exam, the physicians at Vascular & Vein Institute of Siouxland use a transvaginal ultrasound or MRI to confirm the presence of uterine fibroids.
Treatment
While uterine fibroids are very common, only a small percentage of these growths require treatment.
The physicians at Vascular & Vein Institute of Siouxland use uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) to treat fibroids. UFE is a minimally invasive procedure that preserves your uterus and controls symptoms, improving the patient’s quality of life. The procedure is performed using x-ray guidance to block blood flow to the fibroid and only requires one small incision in the wrist or groin.
Because UFE is a minimally invasive procedure, it is performed as an outpatient procedure and requires less time to heal. In fact, many patients return to their normal activity level in about one week.
Call 605-217-5617 to schedule an appointment.