Uterine fibroids affect 20-80% of women by age 50, making them a common gynecological concern. These noncancerous growths vary in size and number and can cause symptoms like heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, or pressure. Knowing the causes, risks, and prevention can help manage them effectively.
At Advanced Women's Care of Pittsburgh, we provide complete fibroid care. Whether you need lifestyle guidance, symptom-relieving medication, or surgical options, our team is here to support you. With a patient-first approach, we’re dedicated to helping women in Pittsburgh lead healthier lives. Schedule an appointment today to start your journey to better fibroid management.
Keep reading to learn about the causes, risks, and prevention of uterine fibroids.
What Are Fibroids and How Do They Affect Women?
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or on the uterus, often during a woman's childbearing years. They can vary in size and location, growing within the uterine wall, on the outer surface, or inside the uterine cavity. Depending on their size and type, fibroids can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and pressure. They may also affect reproductive health, leading to infertility or pregnancy complications. Beyond physical symptoms, fibroids can significantly impact daily life and overall well-being.
Uterine Fibroids Symptoms
- Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: One of the most common fibroid-related symptoms, where menstrual flow may last longer, result in excessive menstrual bleeding, or require frequent changes of sanitary products due to severe bleeding.
- Pelvic Pain and Pressure: Depending on their size and location, fibroids tend to cause significant pelvic pressure, discomfort, or even a sense of heaviness in the pelvic region, as they press on internal organs.
- Frequent Urination: Large fibroids may press against the bladder, reducing blood flow to nearby areas and leading to an increased need to urinate.
The severity of fibroid-related symptoms depends on the size, number, and location of fibroids in or around the uterus. For instance, large fibroids pressing on nearby internal organs such as the fallopian tubes or bladder can cause more serious complications, while smaller ones may be symptom-free. Fibroids commonly develop during reproductive age and can disrupt the menstrual cycle, causing irregular menstrual bleeding or heavy menstrual periods.
Early recognition of these symptoms is key for timely diagnosis and effective management, which can include minimally invasive approaches like small incisions to improve the quality of life within the female reproductive system.
Key Factors Behind Fibroid Development
- Hormonal imbalances: Estrogen and progesterone fluctuations can trigger fibroid growth.
- Genetic predisposition: A family history of fibroids increases your likelihood of developing them.
- Lifestyle factors: Diet, stress, and overall health can influence fibroid formation and growth.
At Advanced Women's Care of Pittsburgh, we provide fibroid care tailored to your needs. Non-surgical options include lifestyle changes and medications to manage fibroid-related symptoms and slow growth. For further care, we offer minimally invasive procedures, such as uterine artery embolization, endometrial ablation, or robotic-assisted techniques, to treat fibroids, including submucosal fibroids, intramural fibroids, and subserosal fibroids.
These options are designed to shrink fibroids or remove fibroid tissue with minimal recovery time. For very large fibroids or cases where multiple fibroids grow, surgical procedures like fibroid surgery or open surgery may be necessary. Our team creates personalized care plans to ensure the best outcomes for your health.
Prevention and Maintaining Reproductive Health
Regular check-ups are key to maintaining reproductive health and detecting issues like fibroids early. Whether you're dealing with small fibroids, subserosal fibroids, or wondering how many fibroids you may have, early diagnosis allows for timely treatment to prevent complications. During routine visits, your doctor may use an ultrasound probe or blood tests to assess fibroid size, location, and blood supply. For symptom management, patients may be recommended iron supplements to address anemia caused by fibroid-related bleeding.
There are several non-surgical treatments, including noninvasive treatment options like uterine fibroid embolization, an outpatient procedure that targets the fibroid’s blood supply to shrink it. Recovery for such procedures typically takes up to six weeks. While some cases may still require surgical treatment, these alternatives offer effective ways to manage fibroids and maintain overall well-being.
Steps to Reduce the Risk of Developing Fibroids
- Maintain a Healthy Diet
Eat plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins. Limit red meat and processed foods to reduce fibroid risk.
- Manage Stress Levels
Try meditation, yoga, or deep breathing to lower stress, which can disrupt hormones and increase fibroid risk.
- Stay Physically Active
Regular exercise improves health, balances hormones, and helps maintain a healthy weight, reducing fibroid risk.
- Monitor Hormonal Health
Avoid hormone disruptors in certain beauty products or plastics to keep hormones balanced.
- Schedule Regular Check-Ups
Routine gynecologist visits help catch and manage reproductive health issues early.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight raises fibroid risk. Healthy eating and exercise can help manage your weight.
Seize Control of Your Reproductive Health
Making healthy lifestyle choices can help lower the risk of fibroids and improve well-being. Advanced Women's Care of Pittsburgh is here to support you.
Schedule an appointment today to discuss your concerns and get personalized care for fibroids and other reproductive health needs. Our expert team is committed to your health and wellness. Contact us to get started!
