What Are Fibroids and How Do They Affect Your Health?

Heavy menstrual bleeding. Painful periods. Urinary problems. If you have these symptoms, you could have fibroids. 

What are fibroids? Uterine fibroids are a common health issue among women, yet many women may not be familiar with them. These noncancerous smooth muscle growths develop in or around the uterus and can affect your health in many ways.

In this article, we will explore whom they affect and how they can impact your health and we’ll also review the most common treatment options and provide information on how our healthcare team at Chapel Hill OBGYN can help.

What are Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are benign (noncancerous) growths that develop in the uterus. They are also called leiomyomas or myomas. 

These growths can form on the inside, outside, or within the wall of the uterus. They can vary in size, ranging from as small as a seed to larger than a grapefruit. They can be single or multiple, and their size and location can vary.

The National Institute of Health estimates that as many as 80%  of women will have developed uterine fibroids by the time they turn 50. However, out of that 80%, only around 25% to 30% will have symptoms to the point that they need treatment.

What Are the Risk Factors for Fibroids?

The exact cause of fibroids is unknown, but certain factors may increase a woman’s risk of developing them. These include:

• Age: As we mentioned earlier, fibroids tend to develop in women of reproductive age, mainly in their 30s and 40s.
• Family history: If other women in your family have had them, then you’re more likely to develop them.
• Race: African-American women are at a higher risk for fibroids and with greater severity. 
• Obesity: Women who are overweight or obese are at a higher risk.
• Hormones: Estrogen and progesterone are vital to growing the uterine lining. If you have higher levels of estrogen and progesterone, you may be at greater risk. 

How do Fibroids Affect Your Health?

Fibroids can affect your health in several ways They may cause:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding: They can cause heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, which can lead to anemia (a condition in which the body lacks enough healthy red blood cells).
• Painful periods: They can cause severe menstrual cramps.
• Pelvic pressure: Feelings of fullness or pressure in the pelvic area can be caused by these growths.
• Urinary problems: Large fibroids can press on the bladder, causing frequent urination or difficulty emptying the bladder.
• Painful sex. They can cause pressure, cramping, and stomach pain both during and after sex.
• Bowel problems: Large fibroids can also press on the rectum, causing constipation or difficulty passing stool.
• Infertility: In rare cases, they can interfere with fertility by blocking the fallopian tubes or preventing the implantation of a fertilized egg.

What Are the Most Effective Treatments?

Treatment for fibroids depends on the size and location of the growths, as well as the severity of symptoms. Treatment options include:

• Watchful waiting: If the growths are small and not causing any symptoms, we may recommend watchful waiting, which involves monitoring them over time. 
• Medications: Hormonal medications, such as birth control pills, can help regulate menstrual bleeding and relieve cramps. Often, hormones such as the Gonadotropin-releasing hormone can be used to shrink them.
• Uterine artery ablation: This procedure shrinks fibroids, and is performed by interventional radiologists. If you are a candidate for this procedure, we will be happy to refer you.
• Surgery: Surgery may be necessary if they are large or causing severe symptoms.
• Alternative therapies: Therapies such as acupuncture, exercise, dietary changes, and herbal remedies can be effective at treating fibroids. 

How Do Fibroids Affect Pregnancy?

For most women, these growths do not change in size or shape during pregnancy, and often, they do not affect the pregnancy. 

However, they may increase the risk of complications during pregnancy, such as preterm labor, breech presentation, or placental abruption. Treatment options during pregnancy are limited, as many medications and procedures carry potential risks to the developing fetus. 

In most cases, we carefully monitor the fibroids throughout your pregnancy, and any symptoms are managed with pain relievers or bed rest. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary if they are causing significant pain or other complications. However, this decision is made on a case-by-case basis and requires careful consideration of the potential risks and benefits for both the mother and the fetus.

Concerned That You May Have Fibroids? Contact Us for an Appointment

Fibroids can cause pain, bleeding, and even difficulty with your bowels and urination. We want you to know that there are several effective treatments for these benign tumors. Discover how we have helped hundreds of women overcome this common issue as expert gynecologists in Chapel Hill and Durham.

See for yourself why we have been consistently ranked as the best gynecologists in Orange and Durham counties. Schedule an appointment today.