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When managing fibroids, some women may have to deal with pain, urinary urgency, bloating, or menstrual changes, while others don’t experience symptoms. Many women think their symptoms are typical, or they ignore them for fear of getting treatment.

However, it’s vital to seek a diagnosis from a professional and pursue treatment, especially if your symptoms significantly impact your life. During the process of getting diagnosed and waiting for treatment, it’s also useful to know how to manage fibroid symptoms.

Fibroid Symptoms

Fibroid pain management depends on the symptoms you experience, which are impacted by the fibroids’ number, location, and size. Fibroids symptoms include heavy menstrual flow1, which can lead to anemia, cramping, and pain. Women with large fibroids often experience symptoms like pelvic pressure, where there is a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, and bladder issues, such as difficulty emptying their bladder or increased urinary frequency. 

A Beginner’s Guide to Uterine Fibroids

For African-American women, not only is there a higher chance of developing fibroids, but also have more severe fibroid symptoms, which means seeking a diagnosis is even more important. 

Diagnosis

With there being so many symptoms that cross over into other conditions, getting a fibroid diagnosis is essential for treatment.  A pelvic exam may reveal an enlarged uterus if you have fibroids, which may alert your doctor to order an ultrasound. The ultrasound provides imaging to confirm the location, size, and number of fibroids.

At the consultation, blood work will detect anemia if you experience heavy bleeding during or in between your periods. 

Managing fibroids starts with partnering with a fibroid specialist. No matter how you receive your diagnosis, their expertise can help you navigate your options and find the best path forward.

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How to Deal with Fibroids While Waiting for Treatment

If you are waiting for treatment or going about your day,pre-treatment fibroid care can include:

  • Balancing your hormones naturally: Manage stress levels through relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation.
  • Nourishing your body:  Adding more organic and detoxifying foods to your diet and avoiding inflammatory foods and alcohol can help temporarily relieve fibroid symptoms such as anemia. Some of the best types of food to incorporate are beta-carotene-rich foods, high-iron foods, and high-fiber whole grains. 
  • Incorporating movement into your daily routine: Exercise increases your body’s endorphins, but don’t push too hard if you’re experiencing pain or discomfort.

Other forms of pre-treatment fibroid care include:

If symptoms persist while awaiting treatment, make sure to see an interventional radiologist or a fibroid specialist who understands fibroid pain management.

UFE: A Non-Surgical Option for Fibroid Treatment

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a non-surgical procedure proven to treat fibroid symptoms effectively. This treatment is a safe, FDA-approved option for women who would like the chance to become pregnant and preserve their uterus. 

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“I am so glad I went to Dr. Yu at USA Fibroid Centers when I did. The best part about my consultation was having all my treatment options laid out on the table for me to understand what would work best for me., ” says Ivory Twyman, who successfully underwent UFE treatment at USA Fibroid Centers. Read her story, My UFE Success Story.

Our fibroid specialists are experts in performing this minimally invasive outpatient procedure. UFE shrinks uterine fibroids rapidly, eliminates symptoms without surgery, and typically requires one week for full recovery. 

One of our fibroid doctors will create a personalized treatment plan for fibroid symptom management and pre-treatment fibroid care. Our fibroid doctors are specialists in treating fibroids with years of experience. They provide quality, compassionate care and are committed to improving their overall quality of life.

Embolization for Fibroids

While doing embolization for fibroids, our interventional radiologists will guide the delivery of small, FDA-approved particles to the fibroids in your uterus.

These tiny particles, typically made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or gelatin, are injected into the blood vessels supplying your fibroids. This injection is done using a catheter inserted into your wrist or groin. These particles travel through the artery and its branches, eventually reaching the blood vessels supplying the fibroids. These particles block the blood supply, and the fibroids shrink, starve, and eventually die.

For more information on fibroid pain treatment, please contact us at (855) 615-2555. Our UFE treatment is covered by most major health insurance providers and some Medicaid plans.

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References

1. Outi Uimari et al., “Uterine Fibroids (Leiomyomata) and Heavy Menstrual Bleeding,” Frontiers in reproductive health, March 4, 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9580818/.