As more women are becoming comfortable talking about their bodies, an increasing number of women are learning that the symptoms they experience during menstruation are not normal. Women who experience heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding, pain during intercourse, frequent urination, pelvic pain, or cramps may have thought these symptoms were just a part of having a normal period. However, these symptoms can indicate that a woman may be suffering from uterine fibroids.
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors that can grow in a woman’s uterus. Many women may not experience any symptoms; but if the fibroids grow large or numerous, she may experience one of more of the symptoms mentioned above.
How Can Fibroid Symptoms Impact Your Life?
Women are resilient and are often used to experiencing uncomfortable or painful symptoms before or during their periods. Uterine fibroids can increase these symptoms, making it difficult for women to enjoy their daily activities. The most common fibroid signs and symptoms include:
- Heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding
- Bleeding between periods
- Anemia
- Pain during intercourse
- Frequent urination
- Constipation and/or bloating
- Pain in your pelvis or lower back
- Increased menstrual cramps
- Protruding abdomen or belly area
Many women who experience heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding develop anemia, which can lead to fatigue. Heavy bleeding can also impact what a woman wears because she may be worried about bleeding through her clothes or if feminine hygiene products will be more visible through certain types of clothing. Constant heavy bleeding can impact the way a woman feels physically and mentally.
Uterine fibroids may increase the frequency a woman needs to use the bathroom because they can expand the uterus and put pressure on the bladder or colon. An expanded uterus can make a woman’s stomach swell or cause bloating. Women with fibroids can also experience pain due to their size and location. These symptoms can affect the quality of life a woman has because she is constantly dealing with these uncomfortable and painful symptoms.
Treatment of Uterine Fibroids
In the past, the only uterine fibroid treatment available was surgery which would remove either part or all of a woman’s uterus. This influenced a lot of women to do the “watch and wait” method. It’s important to remember that fibroids will not go away without treatment. When left untreated, they will continue to cause uncomfortable or painful symptoms. Over time this chronic pain and discomfort may decrease as a woman gets closer to menopause, but this is not a guarantee.
To effectively manage symptoms, treatment is necessary. At USA Fibroid Centers, we offer a minimally invasive option. This procedure is called Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) and involves cutting of the blood supply to the arteries supplying blood to the fibroid(s). If the fibroid stops getting blood and nutrients from the arteries, it will begin to shrink and eventually die. This will evidently relieve most, if not all, of the uncomfortable or painful symptoms.
UFE is a nonsurgical fibroid treatment that is performed in one of our outpatient centers, allowing women to go home the same day. If you are interested in finding a solution for your symptoms, please contact us today at 855-615-2555 or click the button below to schedule your appointment online.
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