Uterine fibroids are growths that form in and around the uterus. In most cases, they are noncancerous, but can still cause certain symptoms and discomfort. While a women’s health specialist will provide more information if you have concerns about the condition, this guide offers some basic insight to help you recognize it.

What to Know About Uterine Fibroids

What causes them to form?

There is no universally accepted cause, but experts believe that hormones produced by the ovaries are involved in their development.

Estrogen and progesterone are produced during the menstrual cycle, regrowing the uterine lining after menstruation. In some people, particularly pregnant women, fibroids may develop because of these hormones. Additionally, people with family histories of fibroids are more likely to experience them. 

What are the symptoms?

Some women with fibroids are asymptomatic. However, in other women, these growths can cause pain in the pelvic region or the lower back, bleeding between periods, abnormally long or heavy menstruation, and a frequent urge to urinate.

These symptoms can also signal other women’s health conditions, including cancer of the uterus or cervix, so visit a medical provider if you experience them.

Do I have to get treated if I have them?

Some women experience no effects and may not require treatment.

However, when the growths are large, treatment may be necessary to prevent additional problems. For example, fibroids may cause infertility and complications during pregnancy. Pregnant women with fibroids must be closely monitored during their terms. 

What treatments are available?

Luckily, this condition is highly treatable.

If your hormones levels are elevated, your medical provider may prescribe medications to regulate them. Birth control solutions, including pills and intrauterine devices (IUDs), also help level out hormone levels to reduce bleeding and discomfort.

In cases where the patient experience severe discomfort, surgery is an option. Myomectomies allow doctors to remove the growths from the uterus. These procedures can be performed laparoscopically, which is a minimally invasive alternative using smaller incisions.

When you have a health question, Patients First Medical Clinic is here to provide answers. Among the many other essential health services this Anchorage, AK, clinic offers, they diagnose and treat women’s health conditions. Their providers have more than 150 years of combined experience providing quality health care for families. Visit them online for more information on their offerings, or call (907) 333-7425 to discuss your needs.