Central Texas ExAblate » Uterine Fibroids

How Do I Know If My Pain Is Caused By Fibroids?

Andrew Frascone — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:50:30 +0000

During a visit to investigate these symptoms, your doctor will check the size of your uterus. If it feels enlarged, your doctor may order an ultrasound or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) session, which can confirm the presence, location and size of fibroids.

If you do not notice any symptoms caused by fibroids there is no need to treat them. Your doctor may want to watch the fibroids and periodically check for any growth.
If your physician feels that you might have fibroids, he/she can order several tests to confirm his/her suspicion.

If you do not notice any symptoms caused by fibroids there is no need to treat them. Your doctor may want to watch the fibroids and periodically check for any growth. If your physician feels that you might have fibroids, he/she can order several tests to confirm his/her suspicion.

* Ultrasounds
* Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
* X Rays
* Cat Scan/CT scan

If fibroids are confirmed, expect to work closely with your doctor to determine the best treatment for you. For a growing number of women, the best treatment is non-surgical MRgFUS.

What Are The Common Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids?

Andrew Frascone — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:50:02 +0000

Fibroid tumors can cause a number of uncomfortable conditions. Many women experience varying degrees of the following symptoms:

Painful periods
Heavy bleeding during or between periods
Frequent urination
Constipation
Distended abdomen which may be mistaken for weight gain or pregnancy
Lower back pain
Pain during sexual intercourse
Difficulty becoming pregnant
Multiple miscarriages
Premature labor

The majority of these complaints are due to the increasing growth of individual fibroids. As these benign tumors grow within the uterus, they invade the space normally occupied by other organs. Pressure is then placed upon nerves, organs or bony structures which results in frequent pain.

What Causes Uterine Fibroids?

Andrew Frascone — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:49:27 +0000

No one knows the definitive cause for these benign tumors. It is thought that a variety of factors co-exist which increase a woman’s risk of fibroid development. Factors such as hormones, familial pre-disposition and environmental conditions likely all play a part.

Fortunately, fibroids very rarely develop into cancer (< 1.0 % of all fibroids). Having uterine fibroids does not increase the risk of uterine or cervical cancer.

Many women who have fibroids are either unaware of them because they don’t have symptoms, or they are not bothered by the side effects which other women find almost disabling. If you are fortunate to be one of these women, your fibroids might not require treatment.

What Are Uterine Fibroids?

Andrew Frascone — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:48:53 +0000

A fibroid, also known as a uterine leiomyomata or “myoma,” is an abnormal growth within the different muscle layers of the uterus. Fibroid tumors are benign (non-cancerous).

While some women have only one fibroid, they typically are present in groups of two or more. Individual fibroids can vary from the size of an apple seed to become larger than a grapefruit. Fibroids often increase in size over time, potentially becoming so large that a non-pregnant uterus can be the same size as a six or seven month pregnancy.

While many women do not experience any problems, symptoms can be severe enough to seek medical treatment.