Fibroids are growths of abnormal uterine tissue that affect between 20 and 70 percent of women, typically during their reproductive years. The condition does not induce side effects for most women and is usually harmless, but some women develop health and reproductive complications. In these cases, non-surgical and surgical treatments for fibroids in Cleveland could shrink or remove the growths to relieve symptoms.
For some women, combining non-surgical and surgical treatments may be more effective for relieving fibroid symptoms. Luckily, fibroid treatments offer a wide variety of non-invasive and traditional procedure choices. Schedule a consultation at one of our Westlake, Middlefield, or Beachwood offices if you have symptoms and want to discuss your surgical and non-surgical treatment options.
Fibroids are growths within the uterus that typically form during a woman’s 30s and 40s due to hormonal changes, genetic changes, and growth factors. When fibroids develop, they could range from minuscule to bulky enough in size to enlarge and distort the uterus. In rare cases, prominent fibroid growth could expand the uterus upwards to the rib cage, adding excess weight and pressure on the abdomen.
Importantly, the growths are noncancerous, so patients are not at a higher risk of uterine cancer if they have fibroids but could develop adverse symptoms. Though many women in Cleveland with fibroids do not have any symptoms, some individuals may have them. If fibroid symptoms develop, they could include:
Treatment for fibroids is necessary if a woman develops chronic pelvic pain, unexplained anemia, vaginal bleeding, or spotting between periods. In addition, medical treatment is essential for difficulty with bladder emptying and painful, heavy, or extended periods.
Since most uterine fibroids are harmless, the typical first non-surgical fibroid treatment in Cleveland for cases with no symptoms is monitoring the growths. If adverse symptoms develop, worsen, or interfere with pregnancy, the next step is to prescribe medications that relieve symptoms by regulating menstrual cycle hormones. However, if non-surgical treatments are unsuccessful, a wide variety of non-invasive, minimally invasive, or traditional surgical procedures are the next step.
The non-invasive treatment for fibroids is an MRI-guide focused ultrasound surgery that uses targeted sound waves to destroy the tissue without incisions. Alternatively, minimally invasive options may use injections or small incisions to remove fibroids with surgery or shrink them with targeted energy sources.
For severe fibroid cases in Lyndhurst, traditional surgery is the most effective treatment option. Fibroid surgery could be an abdominal myomectomy to remove multiple prominent fibroids while preserving the uterus. However, the only treatment that completely prevents the development of new fibroids is a hysterectomy, which removes the entire uterus.
Despite the lack of fibroid symptoms for many women, the growths could negatively affect your reproductive system and overall health. Therefore, treatment may still be beneficial if you have been diagnosed with the condition after a uterine ultrasound but have no symptoms. Non-surgical and surgical treatments for fibroids in Cleveland, Westlake, and Lyndhurst could remove or shrink fibroids to relieve symptoms.
The best treatment choice depends on fibroids’ size, location, and symptom severity, but a broad spectrum of treatments is available. Contact Advanced Women’s Health and Surgery for a consultation to discuss your symptoms and whether medical intervention is necessary.